Msobo Day Care Centre was crowned the champions of the Vhembe Special Olympics which were held at Univen on Saturday.

The tournament was hosted by Vhembe's Special Olympics ambassador, Rofhiwa Madume. When addressing the athletes, the Vhembe District's acting mayor, Cllr Faith Chauke, said that the government realised the immense problems and challenges facing people living with intellectual disabilities.

”We need to supply some resources to assist in creating the necessary infrastructure that will assist people living with intellectual disabilities,” said Chauke. She said that Special Olympics South Africa reached more than 32 000 athletes from across the nine provinces and offered more than 730 competition opportunities each year.

“As a district municipality, our role is to co-ordinate and to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are brought on board. With the support of the Makhado, Mutale, Thulamela and Musina municipalities, business, the community and sport federations, we can make a difference,” said Chauke.

Limpopo's Special Olympics coordinator, Mr Samuel Maduwa, said that children with disabilities must no longer be hidden in their homes, side-lined in society and treated as secondary citizens. "It is high time that all concerned parties - parents, communities, public servants and politicians - join hands to ensure that children with disabilities have the same opportunities as other children."

The champions in Floor Hockey in group A were Grave and Love Day Care Centre; Msobo Day Care Centre won group B and Hayani were tops in group C. In the athletics section, Msobo Day Care Centre were the overall winners.