Persons with disability display great sport skills
It was all fun and games last Thursday when residents of the Association for Persons with Disability (APD) Polokwane’s Centenary House competed in different activities which formed part of the association’s Disability Rights Awareness Month celebrations. This year’s celebrations started on 3 November and ended on Sunday and was observed under the theme ‘Strengthening self-representation: …
It was all fun and games last Thursday when residents of the Association for Persons with Disability (APD) Polokwane’s Centenary House competed in different activities which formed part of the association’s Disability Rights Awareness Month celebrations.
This year’s celebrations started on 3 November and ended on Sunday and was observed under the theme ‘Strengthening self-representation: Young people building on the legacy of OR Tambo and Friday Mavuso towards a sustainable and resilient society for all.’
The day started with a bottle filling challenge where participants had to fill up a 5l bottle with water using a sponge. The game was won by Lynette Bester with Grace Moloise second and Tian Kotze in the third place.
In the sack race competition Tumelo Mokgawa was first over the finish line followed by Tshepho Ramashala and Moloisi. The windy conditions made for the cancellation of the last two items, telephone message and pass the ball through the neck and the residents then opted to go to the hall to dance.
Stimulation instructor Everjoy Mutema said the games were all about having fun and entertaining persons with disability. She explained that such competitions give physically and intellectually impaired people something to brag about but reiterated that all participants were told before the competition that they were all winners for those who did not win not to be demoralised.
“We have a stimulation group which deals with people who want to be pushed before getting things done so the games also assist us to assess their strengths and qualities,” she explained and added that such gatherings make it easy for the institution to choose athletes to represent APD at various championships.
Margaret Malatji, APD fundraiser stated that the Disability Rights Awareness Month aims to promote recognition of the skills, merits and abilities of persons with disability and promote positive perceptions and greater social awareness toward persons with disability. On the day, two APD residents Gerna and Francois Theron, celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary and bought each other new wedding rings. Gerna was all smiles and said their love was still strong because they do everything together and are best friends.
Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
