Physically impaired athletes compete in paravolley champs

Physically impaired volleyball athletes from the five districts engaged in some strong yet healthy competition during the recent Provincial Paravolley Championships hosted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at Nirvana Community Hall.
Thohoyandou Club accumulated the most points while Capricorn Club took second position and Makhado settled for third. Sitting volleyball, sometimes known as paralympic volleyball, is a form of volleyball for athletes with a disability.
The department’s Chief Director Sport and Recreation Veronica Choshane explained that as the sporting code was still at a developing stage the provincial champions would not be competing in the upcoming National Championships. She suggested that the federation governing the sport in the province might consider taking a team to nationals next year looking at the progress athletes made during the year. The championships attracted 47 athletes, six team managers, six coaches and three representatives from the Limpopo Academy of Sport.
Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi reportedly commented that the championships was presented to produce future world-class sitting volleyball stars to represent South Africa in various international competitions. “It is through this championship that aspiring athletes of Limpopo are afforded an opportunity to participate in a single-coded sitting volleyball activity and to showcase their talent and skills.”
She further said the event was used as learning material for team managers of the clubs to prepare for bigger competitions. The officials participated fully and positively to the event and shared their experience and views with the athletes. Moloi indicated that the main purpose of the tournament was to continue with the development and promotion of paravolley in the province.
The Paravolley Limpopo Provincial Organisation Committee was impressed with the materials used during the championships and the support received from the department and other stakeholders.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za