Namibians off to 2013 Winter Games in Korea

Alternating between Summer Games and Winter Games, Special Olympics World Games bring public attention to the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, helping to change attitudes and break down barriers that excluded them from the mainstream community.

The 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games are scheduled to take place in PyeongChang, South Korea, from 29 January to 5 February. The Winter Games will feature world-class competition in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, snowboarding and speed skating, floor hockey among other sports.

The Special Olympics Namibia (SON) delegation departed on Saturday, including the Global Youth Activation Team, SON's Clinical Director, the Global Family Leader and the Global Messenger with his mentor.

The games will start off with its opening ceremony tomorrow, before the start of traditional Special Olympics events including the following:

HEALTHY ATHLETES PROGRAMME ? DR. KAGISO MOLOI

This is designed to provide medical screening to athletes to ensure that they maintain best possible health conditions and perform at their best, with healthcare specialists and volunteers on standby.

Dr. Kagiso Moloi, the Clinical Director for SON and also a Regional Clinical Advisor for Special Olympics Africa, will be part of the team and an international volunteer in the Special Smiles Programme, which focuses on dental screening.

THE GLOBAL YOUTH SUMMIT ? ELVIRA GOAGOSES

This summit will be held concurrently to the games. It will bring together approximately 100 youths from 22 countries across the world, who are committed to making a difference and promoting social inclusion through the power of sports in their schools and communities.

The youths will be engaged in different activities and discussions under the theme, ?Educate, Motivate and Activate?.

Namibia will be represented by Elvira Goagoses, an athlete with intellectual disability, and Josephine Amutenya, a partner without intellectual disabilities. The team will be under the guidance of Emma Werner as a chaperone. These young ladies also recently attended the African Youth Summit in Rustenburg, South Africa, during the Africa Unity Cup 2012.

FAMILY FORUM ? HANNA GARISES

Families are the No. 1 fans of the Special Olympics athletes. They give a kind of love, support and encouragement that no one else can. Special Olympics has a support network that brings families together to discuss issues that affect them and how they can best support their athletes and ensure they always give their best. Hanna Garises will be representing Namibia and Africa at this event.

GLOBAL MESSENGER ? DEON NAMISEB

Deon Namiseb is the Special Olympics Global Messenger and a shining example of the effect Special Olympics can have on an athlete's life. He travels around the world to make speeches and encourages people to know that everyone is equal, no matter their ability.

He recently travelled to New York to introduce former US president Bill Clinton on stage during the Clinton Global Initiative held at the Sheraton Hotel.

He recently returned from the Africa Unity Cup in South Africa, where he made a speech at the opening ceremony.

Deon will once again brace the stage at the Winter World Games, accompanied by his mentor Ramah Mumba.