Olympics body to mentor people with intellectual disabilities
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“He is a junior athlete but his performance at World Challenge and other competitive tournaments has earned him the slot. Siame has greatly improved on time this year with his personal best being 10.18s,” he said.
He however said it would be too much to demand for medals from the two athletes when it will be their maiden appearance at such a big event.
“Mupopo just started competing in international tournaments last year while Siame is a junior athlete, so it will be unfair to demand for medals. But we are positive that they will put up a good performance,” he said.
Siame last year claimed the title of the world fastest kid after he won gold at the Nanjing Youth Olympics clocking 10.56s.
In June, Siame was invited to participate in the World Challenge in Senegal where he finished fourth setting a new national record of 10:18s. By MICHAEL MIYOBA SPECIAL Olympics African Region (SOAR) president and managing director Charles Nyambe has reaffirmed his organizations commitment to mentor people with intellectual disabilities in the African region.
Speaking during the launch of the Special Olympics Leadership academy which has attracted 32 participants from across the African continent, Nyambe commended the Zambian government for hosting the academy
Nyambe said that the event which will run for three days at OYDC would empower young people with intellectual disabilities to be empowered with leadership qualities for their benefits.
“We are very thankful to the Zambian government and the Special Olympic Zambia for hosting the leadership academy where we are hosting leaders from around Africa for a trans- formation of leadership training therefore we are grateful to Zambia for hosting this conference,” Nyambe said.
Minister of Sports Moses Mawere in a speech read by deputy director of sports Gibson Munyaule hailed the Special Olympics Africa for according Zambia the opportunity to host the conference.
Mawere appealed to Special Olympics Africa to ensure that positive leadership propels in all African countries to greater heights in terms of sports development.
Mawere reaffirmed the government’s commitment to support the Special Olympics Zambia through the provision of monthly grants and sponsorship of major events such as the 2011 Athens world games and 2021 Los Angeles world games.
“Government is ready and on course to provide any assistance. I therefore encourage you the leaders to be constantly in touch with your governments to ensure that Africa speaks the same language,
“At the end of this conference we expect that delegates gathered here will have increased knowledge on issues affecting leadership in sports, increased awareness of the rights and roles of persons with intellectual disability as well as come up with interventions to address the challenges leaders face in driving the sports agenda in Africa,” Mawere said.
Brightfield Shadi, a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger from Botswana said he was excited to be part of the leadership academy meant to empower youths with disabilities.
Shadi called on young people with disabilities not to limit their potential, noting that they too were capable of becoming great leaders in societies.