The promo event, which runs from 10h00 to 13h00, is primarily a meet and greet session with Namibia”;s football team, who are due to take part in the Special Olympics Unified Cup from 31 July to 6 August in Southeast Michigan and Detroit, USA.
The competition will feature over 300 athletes from more than 20 nations competing in football, the world”;s most popular sport.
Athletes with and without intellectual disabilities will compete together, demonstrating how playing together breaks down barriers and ultimately creates communities of acceptance and inclusion.
Namibia will face a Caribbean team, Guatemala and Slovakia in Group B of the women”;s section. Their first match is on 1 August.
Along with Namibia, Egypt and Burkina Faso are the other African teams in the women”;s draw, with Nigeria and Morocco in the men”;s section.
The Namibian team consists of Motjaritje Tjaveondja, Angeline Sihova, Kavemumuine Kambai, Unao Karipata, Uundamuje Mbaisa, Remember Uasora Mengo, Vitjituaije Master (captain), Fololian Muayolange Hikuafelua, Anna-Ida Heidi Somses, Okeri Hitjitevi Haakurua and Kristofina Benyameni.
Head coach Eliaser Amuthitu is optimistic about the team”;s chances in their international debut tournament.
“The training has been good and attendance tops. The expectations are high, I”;m expecting the team to perform well and if possible bring back the gold medal,” Amuthitu said.
“It”;s not going to be easy, but I”;m hoping the players are focused and are going to put in the work, like we have been doing during training. ”
At 15 years of age, Angeline is the youngest member of the squad. She is understandably very excited about her first trip abroad, no less to the USA, where women”;s football is a big deal.
“We are travelling to America. I”;m so happy. I”;m going to enjoy playing soccer there,” Sihova said.
The group stage will see each team in their respective groups playing each other once. The top teams for each gender will advance to Division 1, earning their chance to fight for the Unified Cup.
The remaining teams will make up Division 2 and 3 and will play for first to fourth place in their division.
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