Western Cape Shines at Physically Disabled Championships

Western Cape athletes won over 150 medals at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled which took place in Stellenbosch from 31 March to 2 April 2014. Western Province athlete Fabian Michaels took home the Senior Sportsman of the Championships award after breaking two Africa records in javelin. 
 

The competition was organised by the South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled (SASAPD) and the Western Province Sports Association for Physically Disabled, with support from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS). 
 

There was a high level of camaraderie amongst athletes from the nine provinces and from Namibia participating in this Paralympic qualifying event. Nine African records and 60 South African records were broken at the championship.
 

Team Western Cape comprised 150 junior and senior athletes participating in judo, goalball, boccia, junior cycling, swimming, athletics and 7-a-side soccer. Some participated in more than one sport code during the contest.
 

According to Tracy Dearden, Western Province team manager, “the national championships are a platform of inspiration for aspiring paralympians. Events like this provide the opportunity for them to be recognised for their achievements”.  
 

The next national championships will be taking place in 2015 in Johannesburg. To keep up with news on sport for the physically disabled, please “like” the South African Sport for Physically Disabled page on Facebook.