MBABANE – Tebenguni Simelane hoisted the country’s flag high in South Africa.
Simelane claimied a double medal haul at the Para-Athletics Championships held in Stellenbosch this past weekend.
Eswatini Paralympics Committee (EPC) President Mcebo Dludlu, speaking on the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) All Sports Review hosted by Donatus ‘Nkonotja’ Zwane, confirmed that the nation was represented by two athletes in the Cape Town showpiece.
Dludlu revealed that the trip was fully funded by the Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC). He expressed immense pride in the duo, Tebenguni and Sekuhle Dlamini, for their valiant efforts on the track.
“Tebenguni was able to claim a bronze medal in the 200 metres and she brought home gold in the 100 metres,” Dludlu announced.
The president further noted that Sekuhle finished in a respectable sixth position out of 12 athletes in the 100-metre sprint, a performance he described as a major achievement given the high level of competition.
He explained that Para-Athletics is a competition for those living with disabilities, stating that these can be differentiated between those who are physically challenged and those who are intellectually challenged.
“As the Eswatini Paralympic Committee, we are concentrating on those with physical disabilities,” he added.
He further revealed ambitious plans to take athletes to represent the country in global competitions in the United States of America, specifically for the Los Angeles 2028 Games following the Olympics.
“We are training our athletes to compete in the upcoming competition to be held in Mozambique in December,” he said.
He finally urged parents to support children with disabilities by allowing them to participate in sports, rather than keeping them hidden at home, as talent knows no boundaries.
Tebenguni Simelane smiling after claiming bronze and gold medals in South Africa.