Johannesburg – The Minster of Sport Fikile Mbalula will join football legends Lucas Radebe and Desiree Ellis, NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, and Special Olympics athletes in a Celebrity Unified match at the Special Olympics Africa Unity Cup 2012.
Dr Mathews Phosa, Chairperson of Special Olympics South Africa, made the announcement on Monday when speaking at the official launch of The Special Olympics Africa Unity Cup.
The tournament will take place in Phokeng from the October 3rd to the 6th.
Phosa was joined by Acting DG of the Ministry of Sport, Sumayya Khan, Deputy DG of the Ministry of Women, Children and People with a Disability, Lucas Ndala, CEO of Royal Bafokeng Holdings, Floyd Mbele of Royal Bafokeng Sports, Lucas Radebe and rapper HHP who will be performing at the tournament.
Khan emphasised the Ministry of Sports and Recreations commitment to Special Olympics and their support of the tournament on behalf of the Minister.
The event was also attended by Special Olympics South Africa Board Members, Lerato Afilaka and Dr Danisa Baloyi.
All together 22 National Teams from 14 African countries will participate in this regional 7-a-side football tournament which also serves as a qualifier for the top three countries to compete in an international tournament, The Special Olympics Unified Cup, Rio 2013.
Participating countries include Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia
The tournament will also feature various engaging initiatives running concurrently with the football competition.
The Special Olympics Celebrity Challenge is a unique platform which hosts Special Olympics athletes, celebrities, and soccer legends on the same playing field. – Sapa