South Africa’s Special Olympics team officially launched the #BackOurTeam campaign, a call to all South Africans to get behind the Special Olympics South Africa national team on the “Road to Abu Dhabi”.
A team of 70 determined and inspirational athletes will be looking for further support from South Africans with funds to help them reach their goal of representing South Africa on a global stage.
The games will be held between March 14 to 21 with 7 500 athletes from around the globe competing. There will be more than 20 Olympic sporting codes to chose from.
Chairman of the Special Olympics South Africa Mathews Phosa said: “We are asking South Africa to get behind our national team. Every day our athletes face prejudice, discrimination and a lack of belief in their abilities. Coupled with limited access to sports facilities and equipment, and perhaps the most heart-breaking of all, very little support or acknowledgment from our society. However, despite all of these obstacles, our athletes remain committed – and they persevere. South Africa let’s back our team this year.”
The record number of participating athletes and Unified Partners, including the highest number of women to ever participate in a Special Olympics World Games, will compete across eleven venues in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Meanwhile, the build-up to the Games will be a nationwide celebration with the Law Enforcement Torch Run as part of the Host Town Programme to take place in all seven emirates of the UAE.
Chief executive of the Special Olympics South Africa ( Sosa) Ancilla Smith said: “We are eternally grateful to businesses and initiatives that support us, one being the National Lotteries Commission who have generously backed our team with funds for flights. We hope to raise more funds for the team through the Adopt an Athlete Campaign and hope to bring home even more medals than ever before”.
Through theAdopt Athlete Campaign, Sosa is calling on companies and individuals to adopt an athlete for R35 000 to ensure athletes have the opportunity to compete with pride and are well equipped among the 7 500 athletes attending.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk
The Special Olympics team will depart from OR Tambo on March 7 and will be hoping to replicate the same success enjoyed by the 2015 Special Olympics South Africa Summer team who returned victorious with 61 medals in Los Angeles.
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