The athletes will leave for the championships which will be held from March 16 to 25, to represent Gauteng in various sports.
KwaThema Disability Sports Academy chairperson, Aubrey Mathebela, says this comes after his athletes participated in the Central Gauteng for the Disabled trials conducted last year.
“I am very happy with my team’s performance, they will be representing the province and I wish them well.
“From the 16 athletes, even if two or three can make it to the Paralympics it would be a great achievement for us. Those who do well at the championships stand a chance to be selected for South Africa’s team for the Paralympics Games in Rio in September.
“Training is going well, even though we still have the challenge of proper training equipment and that on weekends the stadium is closed off for soccer so we can’t practise,” he says.
Mathebela says there is also the challenge of transport to the competition which is why they are trying to raise funds.
One of the athletes, Lefa Gova (28), who will be participating in the cerebral palsy soccer, says he is happy about competing as it been his dream.
“I hope other young people living with disability will come and join us because we have a lot of fun doing this.
“We also enjoy being together as we understand each other,” he says.
Nthabiseng Phala (28), who runs and does long jump, says through sports they are able to keep fit and keep away from negative things in the community.
She also encourages other people living with disability to join them.
For more information on the academy contact Mathebela on 084 081 1048 or 083 898 9888.
