Title: Namibian Children with Intellectual Disabilities Break Stereotypes Through Sports
Disability Sports Namibia (DSN) board member, Juliene Garises, has urged Namibian society to dispel the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft and self-blame when it comes to children with intellectual disabilities participating in sports. Garises, who served as Team Namibia’s head of delegation at the recent Special Olympic World Games in Berlin, Germany, shared the team’s success, bringing home a gold, two silver, and a bronze medal among 7,000 participants from 170 countries.
Garises emphasized the need for equality, stating that children with intellectual disabilities deserve the same opportunities as any other child. The outdated mentality of hiding and isolating these children must be abandoned in favor of embracing their talents and allowing them to engage with the public. She expressed gratitude towards the Ministry of Sport, Youth, and National Service for their N$1 million donation to DSN, which made their participation in the World Games possible.
The financial support from the government signifies a significant step towards recognizing the potential and talent of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Garises believes that other sport codes will also receive the necessary financial backing in the future. She hopes that the impressive performance of Team Namibia in Berlin will pave the way for sustained growth in the sport, enabling the country to field a formidable team for the 2025 Special Olympic World Games in Turin, Italy.
Garises encouraged parents of children with intellectual disabilities to allow their children to participate in sports and represent their country. By doing so, these children can become ambassadors for Namibia. Additionally, Garises stressed the importance of scouting for talent throughout the country to expand the sport further. She also highlighted the benefits of participating in international Special Olympic medical programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Last year, Namibia’s national female unified football team achieved a historic feat by securing the gold medal in America. This accomplishment was celebrated by many within the sports industry. Garises believes that there is room to include additional sport codes, such as swimming and football, in Special Olympics, as they provide opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to excel.
As Namibia moves forward, it is crucial to overcome societal stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding children with intellectual disabilities and their involvement in sports. By fostering inclusivity and equal treatment, Namibia can continue to identify and nurture talented individuals who possess both athletic prowess and an unwavering determination to represent their nation on the international stage.
By breaking down barriers and challenging conventional beliefs, the Namibian community can create a future where all children, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to showcase their talents and achieve greatness in the world of sports.
Keywords: Namibia, disability sports, intellectual disabilities, Special Olympic World Games, witchcraft, self-blame, equality, Ministry of Sport, financial support, talent scouting, Special Olympic medical programs, unified football team
