17 Sep 2014

About 900 children living with disability from over 50 schools across the country have converged at the Lobatse Sports Complex for the Botswana National Special Olympic games.

The games, which will be a week-long, are in preparation for the Special Olympics World Summer games which will be held in Los Angeles (LA), United States of America next year. About 180 countries are expected to gather in LA in the coming year to stage the Special Olympics games.

Speaking at the official opening of the games on September 15, southern region chief education officer, Tumelo Rakgabo said the Ministry of Education and Skills Development supported inclusive education hence the incorporation of children living with disability in all spheres of education.

Rakgabo said it was high time people realise that children living with disability have as much the same dreams and desires as those deemed to be in the mainstream of education. The hosting of such games, he said, were a sign that these children also needed time outside the formal classroom teaching to interact and be entertained.

Rakgabo encouraged all responsible for special education to come up with initiatives that are geared towards improving the special education system as well as the organisation of the games.

For his part, Kgosi Donald Rammala recognised the importance of incorporating sporting activities among people living with disabilities.

Rammala said for a long time the society had been stereotyped that people living with disabilities are incapable adding that such activities as special Olympics are a sign that indeed they are not.

He said this has also led to the society interacting well with people living with disability as well as for such people to accept and know that they all are equally part of the society.

He wished the special Olympians the best of luck as they prepare for the international arena and encouraged them to bring more medals home.

In an interview, Botswana Special Olympics National director, Ross Tebele said Botswana has always been on the map since its participation in the World Special Olympics competitions in 1991. 

Tebele said Botswana took 18 athletes to the last Special Olympics which were held in 2009, and brought 15 medals.

He explained that this time there will be an improvement to the games as they are also taking the unified volleyball and football teams to the games.

“These two teams will be comprised of people without disability together with those living with disability,” he said.

He hailed the idea of unified sport, adding that it is a sign that the concept of inclusion is being put into good practice.

He said the team will also be taking along 21 kilometers marathoners who in the regional competitions have performed so well.

Tebele said, though the Botswana National Special Olympics is faced with financial constraints, he however applauded its partners for the sterling job they have done in assuring that there is continuity in the sporting games and assistance to people living with disability.

He also appreciated the growth of the games as more athletes were showing up to the games, adding that this is a sign that parents no longer hide their children but are now free to bring them out to the open to be part of the society.

“These games bring joy to the participants as they participate to their fullest capacity”, he said.

Special Olympics, he said comes as interesting as it encourages full participation by all and not very strict.

The games are held under the theme, “Disability is not inability”. ENDS