24 Feb 2019

Government has made various policy decisions to ensure recognition and inclusion of people with disabilities within the society.

Officially opening the National Deaf Sports Games on February 22, Minister of Basic Education’s private secretary, Kwante Kwante said such included the establishment of the Disability office within the Office of the President.

“The amendment of Sports Act to include a section of disability sport is borne out of the commitment to guarantee social inclusion and effective participation in social development and general economy as a nation,” Kwante said.

Furthermore, he said Vision 2036 promoted an inclusive, tolerant and moral society, to which he said the games were a true manifestation that the organisers wanted to make the vision a reality.

Kwante further said Botswana was also a signatory to United Nation statutes and principles that promoted equality and the rights to sport and recreation for all with disabilities to participate in sport activities.

The Botswana Deaf Sport Federation was formed in 2011 as a national independent sport organisation for people with hearing impairment.

Kwante said the federation was a recognised member of International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), Confederation of Africa Deaf Sports (CADS) based in Algeria and also affiliated to Botswana National Sports Commission through Paralympic Association of Botswana.

He said the international committee of sport for the deaf was the main governing body responsible for the organisation of Deaflympics and other deaf world championship.

As a result, he said Botswana Deaf Sport Federation had since joined 113 countries to be among the full members of the world sporting organisation to give athletes with hearing impairment in Botswana the opportunity to interact and represent the country in international competitions.

“It is only fair that we develop this talent so that they can also compete with the 113 members, therefore I would like to thank the sponsors, the organising committee and all partners for providing a perfect platform for these athletes to perform to the best of their abilities”, he said.

For his part, Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) board chairperson, Advocate Abraham Keetshabe said he was happy that the company had played a small part in making the day possible through the sponsorship of over P300 00.

“While DTCB seeks to maintain a profitable business environment, it also focuses on enhancing its reputation and the well being of our society as well as the country in general,” he said.

Furthermore, he said DTCB defines corporate social investment as a contribution in the form of money, employee time and other resources towards the improvement and development of the lives of the community and creating a legacy of sustainability.

Botswana Deaf Sport Federation president, Shirley Keoagile also thanked  DTCB for sponsoring the games. ENDS