Five learners from Estralita gets sponsor

LYDENBURG – Carol Malinga, a pupil at Estralita School, was awarded a swimming sponsorship by the Mpumalanga Academy of Sport on Friday.

The Mpumalanga Department of Sports and Recreation realised that many talented locals are being lost to other provinces because they do not receive the financial assistance they deserve.

This 16-year-old swimmer represented South Africa at the 2015 Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

She started swimming four years ago and has already participated against other swimmers at international level. An event was held at the school to celebrate her accomplishments. The sponsorship will cover transport, gala and medical fees as well as accommodation.

According to Ronel Bekker from Swimming Mpumalanga, the young swimmer will be receiving advanced training.

“Malinga will be going to Mbombela for swimming lessons and she will be trained by professional coaches who will help her to perform better.” Swimming Mpumalanga will manage the funds donated to swimmers by the department.

“We make sure that persons who receive sponsorships do not misuse their funds,” said Bekker. Malinga will also be trained to be a swimming coach.

“Due to her disability she will always have a supervisor when training other swimmers. She is not the first person with a disability to be a coach,” said Bekker. According to Malinga she is so pleased to receive the sponsorship.

“I am excited about this opportunity because I will be able to live my dream of training other children.”