Namibian to represent African Special Olympians

A Namibian Special Olympics athlete has been selected to represent the African continent at the Special Olympics Athletes World Congress in Japan during February next year.

Delano Beukes, was elected from 11 other hopefuls to be the voice of Africa during the athletes congress that would coincide with the Special Olympics Winter Games in February 2005. The 20-year-old Beukes was elected during the Special Olympics African Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, which took place from June 24 to 28.Beukes was accompanied by Special Olympics Namibia’s National Director Charles Nyambe, as well as National Sports Director Raphael Aluteni.Nyambe is also the Sports Director for Special Olympics in Africa.Beukes was Namibia’s hero during the 2003 Summer Olympics in Ireland when he secured his country a bronze medal and was also the top goalscorer of the soccer tournament with 27 goals.The youngster, who is the athletes representative on the board of Special Olympics Namibia, will not participate in the Winter Games but will help make policy decisions for the next Summer Games scheduled for China in 2007.Nyambe was happy with Beukes’ achievement, saying it was a milestone for the youngster in particular and Namibia in general.Meanwhile, Namibia this week received its accreditation to Special Olympics International for the next two years.Every country with a Special Olympics program receives accreditation based on how it maintains the Special Olympics standards.Namibia is one of 20 African countries whose accreditation to the international Special Olympics mother body was successfully renewed.- NampaThe 20-year-old Beukes was elected during the Special Olympics African Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, which took place from June 24 to 28.Beukes was accompanied by Special Olympics Namibia’s National Director Charles Nyambe, as well as National Sports Director Raphael Aluteni.Nyambe is also the Sports Director for Special Olympics in Africa.Beukes was Namibia’s hero during the 2003 Summer Olympics in Ireland when he secured his country a bronze medal and was also the top goalscorer of the soccer tournament with 27 goals.The youngster, who is the athletes representative on the board of Special Olympics Namibia, will not participate in the Winter Games but will help make policy decisions for the next Summer Games scheduled for China in 2007.Nyambe was happy with Beukes’ achievement, saying it was a milestone for the youngster in particular and Namibia in general.Meanwhile, Namibia this week received its accreditation to Special Olympics International for the next two years.Every country with a Special Olympics program receives accreditation based on how it maintains the Special Olympics standards.Namibia is one of 20 African countries whose accreditation to the international Special Olympics mother body was successfully renewed.- Nampa