Eleven Mitchell’s Plain School of Skills pupils are off to Limpopo to compete in the Special Olympics South Africa in December.
This a national qualifying event for next year’s Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.
The Special Olympics tackles the inactivity, stigma, isolation and injustice people with intellectual disabilities (ID) face daily.
Futsal soccer team members, including eight girls; three table tennis players; an athlete; their coaches and mentors are looking forward to be hosted by Special Olympics South Africa, who only takes care of accommodation and transport.
Coach Leslene Manchest said the pupils need financial support to cover the costs of their uniform and kit to play their sports optimally.
“Many of our pupils are being raised by their grandparents; their parents are unemployed or their parents are no longer in their lives,” she said.
Ms Manchest said sport motivates the pupils to excel and gives them an alternative to substance abuse and gangsterism.
Former pupil and table tennis player Avon Adams, 23, is now coaching Tamia Herold, 18, from Woodlands, Zubeida Adams, 17, from Eastridge and Zaden Swartz, 18, from Lentegeur, to compete in this national tournament.
Table tennis coach Mark Piedt said it was about giving back to the community. “It is about being able to share this experience with the pupils,” he said.
Mr Adams said the sport kept him occupied and focused. “This is a sport for social change,” he said.
Tamia said playing table tennis makes her happy and Zubeida enjoys hitting the ball.
Futsal team captain Sadia Petersen, 20, from Colorado Park, wants to make her family proud.
Futsal is a type of soccer played indoors on a much smaller court, compared to its football counterpart.
“I want to make my team proud. I want to play for Banyana Banyana (South Africa women’s national football team),” she said.
The World Games has become the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement and has grown to be an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance and unity.
International sports brand adidas has offered a 40 percent discount on sports equipment, including futsal kit, shin guards, soccer balls, water bottles, soccer boots and reflective bibs but the contingent needs more funds to purchase the kits and to send the pupils to compete.
If you want to help, contact the Mitchell’s Plain School of Skills at 021 392 1213 or call Ms Manchest on 083 780 8397.