Local golfers to compete in Special Olympics World Games
School principal Thapelo Tshetlo said he was proud of his learners for qualifying to compete in the international competition.
Tsakani – Three golfers at Matshediso Special Needs School will represent SA in the upcoming Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.
Thatogatsi Mokgotla (19), Banele Makhubo (17) and Nhlanhla Mokhabane (18) are three of seven learners who will represent the country in golf.
They will play the games from June 17 to 25. School principal Thapelo Tshetlo said he was proud of his learners for qualifying.
“Though this is not the first team to compete internationally, this is a big deal for the school and community to showcase their abilities. Our learners are talented, and have proved this over the years in various sporting codes and other areas.
“We believe that within their disability, there is ability. We then focus on their abilities by strengthening them,” Tshetlo added.
Head coach Bheki Madonsela said they started to prepare for the international leg of the competition last June.
“The provincial competition was at the Princeton Country Club, and the nationals followed. Preparing for the tournament, we practised twice a week at the State Mines Country Club in Brakpan,” he added.
The coach said he trusted his team to fly the SA flag at the tournament. Mokgotla said she joined the school’s golf team in 2017 as an extra-mural activity because all the learners are expected to participate in sports.
“Initially, I didn’t think I would fall in love with it, but over the years, while competing in various competitions, I could see I was good at it and started taking it seriously. After completing matric, I would like to focus on becoming a professional golfer,” she added.
