A heroes’ welcome
The MEC for sport, arts and culture, Nandi Ndalane, welcomed back three intellectually impaired soccer players who took part in the Inas World Championships in Brazil from August 13 to 23.
POLOKWANE – The MEC for sport, arts and culture, Nandi Ndalane, welcomed back three intellectually impaired soccer players who took part in the Inas World Championships in Brazil from August 13 to 23.
The welcome ceremony was held at the department recently.
Calvin Letsoalo, Justice Tshililo and Tebogo Maboya were part of the national soccer team for intellectually impaired people, which took part in the championships.
The South African team, which is called Amaswanaswana, finished in second place and were awarded a trophy and silver medals. Ndalane said the players made the department and the province proud.
“We have proved that Limpopo has talented soccer players. I believe that South Africa made headlines in Brazil after they beat Sweden 10-1. This is a heavy score which cannot be scored by an ordinary team,” said Ndalane.
She thanked the team management for the good work they did. “We are fortunate that the South African Sport Association for Intellectually Impaired (SASAII) president, Lizzie Vogel, the national head of delegation, Reggie Mabitsela and the national football convener, Joseph Matlakala are from Limpopo,” she said.
Matlakala said these three players would play futsal during the national age group games to be held in the province in September.
He said the team did exceptionally well in Brazil.
He said this was the first South African soccer team to play in the finals in the history of SASAII championships.
Mabitsela said she was proud of the players. Vogel could not travel to Brazil with the team, but thanked team management and the players for a job well done.
