TEAM NORTH WEST BAG SEVEN MEDALS AT THE  SPECIAL OLYMPICS IN GERMANY

With seven medals in the bag, Team North West from special schools in the province flew the provincial flag high at the recently concluded all-inclusive Special Olympics for the intellectually and multiple impaired individuals that were held in Berlin, Germany from 11- 26 June  2023.

The North West province presented four (4) technical officials and 16 athletes from MM Sebitloane Special School, Iteko Special School, and DP Moloto Special School in sporting codes such as football, athletics, swimming, table tennis and equestrian and four technical team members.  

The North West team forms part of the South African team which competed against 7000 athletes from 180  countries and brought home a total of 49 medals,  seven of which are contributed by the North West province team.

Our outstanding medalists from the province are:

• Katlego Moncho from Potchefstroom (Dr Kenneth Kaunda District) earned a gold medal in the 5000 meters and a bronze medal in the 1500 meters.
  -Goitsemodimo Mosepele from Iteko Special School in Tlhabane (Bojanala District) earned gold in the 25-meter freestyle swim
• Inncocentia Msikinya  from MM Sebetloane Special School in Taung (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati) earned gold in Table Tennis mix doubles.

MM Sebetloane team from Taung won gold in men’s team competition seven-a-side.

MEC for Education in the North West province could not contain her delight the wins by her teams.

“It is an absolute delight to have our provincial team back with not one but seven medals from the Special Olympics held in Germany recently.

“A special thanks to our dedicated School Enrichment team and the four technical officials, our special school coaches and most importantly our athletes.
“The Special Olympics bring a sense of inclusion to our learners with special needs and I wish to make a call to parents and legal guidance of children with disabilities at home to register their children with our special schools so we can discover and nurture their talents as there are opportunities to explore their potential. I believe every child deserves that opportunity to explore their talents, mould their behaviours and shape their characters in their vocations.

“Once again, a big congratulations to Team North West”, expressed Motsumi.

The Special Olympics are held quadrennial in various sporting codes.