Picture: Athletes from North West who represented the country at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin, Germany
By OBAKENG MAJE
Athletes from North West who represented South Africa at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin, Germany said they are losing hope in receiving their incentives. This comes after the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation promised each athlete including coaches and team manager R25 000 each.
More than 16 athletes from various schools across the province took part in the competition and performed exceptionally well.
One of the learners from Sebitloane Special School, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We have lost hope in getting our money. The department promised us incentives and it has been almost three months and we are still waiting.
“When we inquire about the money, they are sending us from pillar to post. That money will come in handy as we are learners with special needs. In most cases, we rely on our handwork skills for survival.
“So, we would create businesses that could bring money in order for us to survive.”
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said: “The department has supported 16 athletes for the Special Olympics in Berlin on the 11 June 2023 for international participants. For their qualification, the department also supported the team for national participation in Polokwane in order for them to qualify for international participation.
“The mandate of the department is to develop and support athletes and communities in the province to excel in sport and recreation programs. Upon return, the department also did a welcome ceremony to celebrate those who participated and did great during the Special Olympics.”
Sebolecwe further said proper documentation was requested from the affected athletes as well as the coaches in order to process the incentives. He added that, however, there was a delay in the finalization of the budget internally.
“The documents have been compiled and will soon be processed for payments. There is a process to be followed internally when it comes to payments of the participant’s incentives. The delay is caused by the verification of documents as well as the budget finalization,” said Sebolecwe.
He said the total number of athletes to benefit from the incentives is 16, one team manager and four coaches.
Meanwhile. On 3 October 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa had lunch with all athletes from South Africa and commended them for their outstanding performance. Ramaphosa said they were competing against 7,000 athletes from over 180 countries and the national team returned with 22 gold, 20 silver, and seven bronze medals.
“Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every person is welcome, regardless of ability or disability.
“Our success in the Special Olympics shows what happens when government and civil society – represented here by Special Olympics South Africa – work together to ensure that we leave no one behind,” he said.
Ramaphosa said South Africa is honoured to be one of the first countries to support the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion, which reflects our commitment to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of our society.
He said having hosted a number of national teams at the Union Buildings as part of the government’s celebration of outstanding achievements by athletes in various sporting codes, he expressed pride in Team South Africa’s performance.
“We are proud that Team South Africa flew the flag for social inclusion and the advancement of human rights, which are a hallmark of the nation we have built during nearly 30 years of freedom.
“Team South Africa are heroes we can look up to and be inspired by in athletic arenas and in every walk of life in our country. May our commitment to inclusion as a nation shine as brightly as the achievements of our Special Olympics Team,” President Ramaphosa said.
The Guardian 