What should be a time of joyous and exciting preparation for Ningizimu Special School pupil and soccer star, Asisipho Sosibo has turned into a Home Affairs nightmare.
Asisipho’s upcoming trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the Special Olympics might be in jeopardy because she does not have a visa.
During an interview with the Sun, the 15-year-old sat quietly, trying to hold back her tears.
The excitement of representing South Africa has been tempered by the difficulties she has endured so far in trying to obtain an unabridged birth certificate and visa for the trip.
The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the tradition of the Special Olympics movement. They will be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 14 to 21 March, 2019.
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Because Ningizimu Special School is affiliated with the Special Olympics, they are given the opportunity to enter all sporting events and if talented enough, pupils like Asisipho are chosen to join the teams. “We were encouraged by the school to participate in events which have different levels we needed to pass, including district, provincial and national. We were then selected to join the teams,” said Asisipho.
South Africa’s team will be among the 174 countries participating. Team SA will send 98 people including coaches, media and team leaders. Asisipho will compete in the girls soccer category with seven other team mates aged between 15 and 17 years.
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Asisipho comes from a single parent home and the school has tried to assist her and her mother to get her to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the international tournament.
She required an unabridged birth certificate, but despite starting with the application process in August, their efforts have so far proven futile.
Ancilla Smith CEO of the Special Olympics said they are working closely with the Montclair teen to resolve the visa issue. “We have reached out to the Deputy Minister of Sport Gert Oosthuizen, and he has appointed members of his office to assist us with obtaining all outstanding documents. With the support of the deputy minister’s office, we hope all these issues will be resolved and we are very grateful for his support,” she said.
Asisipho is stressed about the alternative. “If this is not resolved by 4 March 2019, I’m afraid I will miss taking part in this amazing opportunity,” she said.
The anxiety of trying to get her birth certificate resolved has sapped her of the mounting excitement she had felt about going to the UAE. Many nights she struggles to sleep, her mind filled with doubts about her predicament. “I sometimes cry myself to sleep because I stress about this. I just want to play soccer and meet people in Dubai. I want to be part of the Special Olympics and I want to be successful,” she added.
Asisipho is an active pupil and sportswoman who enjoys playing other sports like netball, basketball, and swimming and loves crunching numbers in math classes.
She wants the world to know just because she comes from a special school doesn’t mean she can’t achieve. “This is my chance to be exposed to the world for my talents, my chance to represent my country.”
