A special good bye
PARKTOWN – The boys at Parktown had the pleasure of hosting a send-off ceremony for the Special Olympics SA team.
Supporters of the Special Olympics SA (Sosa) team came out in their numbers at the team’s send-off at Parktown Boys’ High School. The team of 70 athletes is off to compete in the 2019 Special Olympics Summer World Games in the United Arab Emirates from 14 to 21 March.
Special Olympics CEO Ancilla Smith said the team would be among 7 500 athletes from 180 countries competing. She extended her gratitude to all the people who contributed by pledging to back the team financially and otherwise.
Speaking at the send-off, the chairman of Sosa, Matthews Phosa said according to research findings by the World Health Organisation, there were about three million people living with intellectual disabilities in SA, therefore, a lot more needed to be done to promote inclusivity as this ‘can deter any boundaries’.
“You are going to represent SA at a global scale and that means you will be representing 50 million people,” Phosa told the athletes.
“This is the largest sport and humanitarian event in the world and it is an honour to be sending you off to represent us.”
Parktown Boys’ High School headmaster, Malcolm Williams said to the athletes that he had seen the spirit of togetherness and co-operation within the team. “We have a motto called ‘arise’ which means you stand up when there’s a challenge. I know this is what you are going to do when you go out to compete. As long as you give your best, no one will complain,” said Williams.
He added that the school was proud to host their send-off and encouraged them to keep the school’s motto in the back of their minds.
Ford SA contributed more than R1 million to Sosa and the company’s representative Dudu Nxele said, “We know that gold medals are not only made of gold but sweat, blood, tears and teamwork, so go out there and do exactly that.”
The Parktown Boys’ School choir and band rendered their prepared performances which were enjoyed by everyone in attendance including one of the contributors, artist Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, also known as AKA.
Details Special Olympics SA 011 706 3323; www.sosouthafrica.org.za
Email your school events to naidines@caxton.co.za
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