Basizeni School welcomes boys
Basketball team played 12 games, won 10 and lost 2 games in Los Angeles.
eMBALENHLE – The basketball team from eMbalenhle received a warm welcome by Basizeni LSEN School.
They left South Africa to participate in the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, America.
The coach, Mr Steven Mokwite, said they stayed in three cities in Los Angels, namely Duarte, Azusa and Glendora and they were surprised by the spirit of the community who were well prepared to welcome them with parades.
“Every city made sure that we were well catered for with accommodation and food,” said Mr Mokwite.
The team played 12 games, won 10 and lost 2, which put South Africa in position 6 out of 176 countries.
Sphamandla Mabizela said the coach had a tough time to ensure that they were fit and win their games.
“It was not easy for the coach and we were playing against the tallest boys, but we are happy that he has been with us for all the games and he never lost hope,” said Mabizela.
The South African team was visited by the Deputy Minister of Sports, Mr Gert Oosthuizen, and saide the massive support from South Africans living oversees was heart warming.
Mr Mokwite said our former President, Mr Nelson Mandela, put us on the global map because everyone we met wanted to take a picture of the South African team.
The Mpumalanga coordinator of the Olympics, Ms Florence Thabani, said planning the trip and looking for sponsors were not easy, but it paid off in the end.
“All Mpumalanga athletes should continue to practice for coming events,” said Ms Thabani.
The school’s coach, Ms Bongi Mokwite, was pleased with the overall performance, though she did not go with the team to Los Angeles.
Her love for basketball dates back to the 1980s when the sport was introduced to eMbalenhle schools.
The acting principal, Ms Miriam Rampai, said three boys from Basizeni LSEN School were selected to take part in the national team where they will be playing during the Global Games for the Intellectually Impaired in Ecuador.
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