Gold medals galore at disabled tournament

WESTERN Cape athletes shone at the National Championships for the Physically Disabled in Bloemfontein at the weekend, with several capturing gold in various disciplines, including soccer, javelin and discus.

After a successful crowdfunding campaign enabled the Western Province Disabled Football team to participate in the national games – where they not only won the gold medal, but went through unbeaten – seven of their squad have been selected to represent the South African team in the world championship in Spain in August.

Coach Kevin Valentine could not praise his team enough after winning four games in three days and beat ing Gauteng 3-0 in the final.

“As a coach, I couldn’t complain; normally by the third day there’s nothing left in the tank, but we stood firm.

“I must admit, I didn’t really care if we won a medal. We set the standards really high. I only hope we can repeat that next year.

“This team means everything to me. I’ve been with them since they were little boys, and to take them to a higher senior level – and succeed – is priceless.”

Among the players, no one was more thrilled than 20-yearold Eros matric student Sango Ntsabo, from Khayelitsha.

“It was so much fun on the bus, showing up and playing, and in the end winning the gold. I was really happy. It was my first time as part of a provincial team,” Ntsabo said

NPO Play Sport4Life was instrumental in helping the team raise the R50 000 to pay for their trip to Bloemfontein. They set up a crowdfunding page and received money from as far afield as Australia and Canada.

PS4L head Miles October said: “This is fantastic news for the boys and well deserved. It was a tremendous effort all round and PS4L appreciated the contributions from everybody.

“These boys do not have the resources, financial or otherwise, to realise their dreams. We are thrilled for them.”

Meanwhile, Western Cape athlete Joshua an Staden, 17, has proved that height does not determine success after he walked away with three gold medals as a little person. Van Staden won gold for javelin, shot-put and discus in the men’s open class 31 category.

The Athlone resident said: “It felt amazing. I had a dream I would come home with three medals, but it was a different feeling when you come home with gold. I am more motivated to train seriously now that I see my potential.”

In javelin, he was the most successful, setting a new South African record of 19.4m.

It was his first time at the games and he described the experience as “inspiring”.

Van Staden is a motivational speaker and an ambassador for the South African Association of Little People.

‘I must admit, I didn’t really care if we won a medal’