Picture: (File)

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-Special Olympics Africa, in partnership with the North West Provincial Government and Royal Bafokeng, will be hosting Special Olympics Africa Unity Cup at Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng from October 3-6, in a tournament that will feature 14 countries from around the continent. 

Participating countries are: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.  

The continental seven-a-side football event also serves as a qualifier for the top three countries to compete in an international tournament, the Special Olympics Unified Cup, in Rio, Brazil, next year. 

The first game of the tournament featuring South Africa will be on October 4 against Cote d’Ivoire at Lebone II College. Kick-off is at 08:00.

“Every person should be given the opportunity to showcase their talent and be allowed to shine, irrespective of their intellectual disability,” says MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture. “We welcome the other teams from around the continent to the North West Province, and hope that this will be the beginning of a fruitful relationship.” 

On Saturday October 6, the Minster of Sport and Recreation Mr. Fikile Mbalula will join football legends Lucas Radebe and Desiree Ellis, NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo and Special Olympics athletes in a Celebrity Unified match at the Special Olympics Africa Unity Cup. 

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering understanding and respect worldwide. 

Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 3.7 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. 

Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities all over the world and in the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood’s backyard. 

Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship.