Namibia to feature in Special Olympics games
Special Olympics Namibia confirmed that Namibia will be represented at the 14th Special Olympics World Summer Games that will be held in Los Angeles, USA from 25 July to 2 August.
The Namibian team will participate in three disciplines, namely a male basketball team, a female sprinter and a male marathon runner. Special Olympics Namibia Board member, Sydney Goagoseb will be the head of delegation.
Special Olympics Namibia chairperson, Hanna Garises said the initial team also included a football team but the squad had to be reduced due to lack of budget to cater for the entire contingent.
She was nevertheless confident that the chosen athletes will again go and do Namibia proud in Los Angeles. Previously, Special Olympics Namibia participated in 1999 in North Carolina, in Ireland in 2003, in Shanghai in 2007 and Athens in 2011.
Garises said that despite financial challenges the preparations are going well and with two months still to go, she is confident that all the athletes will be in top form ahead of their departure to the USA.
Every four years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes worldwide come together to demonstrate their athletic skills and their unique ability.
This is the foundation for the spirit of the Special Olympics. Alternating between Summer Games and Winter Games, Special Olympics World Games bring public attention to the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, helping to change attitudes and break down barriers that excluded them from mainstream athletics.
With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles July 25-August 2, will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015.
The 2015 Special Olympics World Games, with the unparalleled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events, will feature 25 Olympic-style sports in venues throughout the Los Angeles region.
The participants is as follows: Bernice Stewe, Track and Field – female and for the male basketball team: Mantius Amukoshi, Absent Eixab, Hofeni Fillemon, Tjizembua Kamberipa, Pepua Kambueza, Otja Muraranganda, Michael Shikemeni, Savin Tauxab, Nathan Wambo, Eduan Xougub. While Ruben Gowaseb will be competing in the marathon.
