South Africa’s all-conquering blind Paralympian, Louzanne Coetzee, has encouraged athletes competing in this year’s national Toyota South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled (SASAPD) to adopt an attitude that enables them to raise the bar high. She was the guest speaker at the official opening ceremony of the multi-coded sporting event in the Callie Human Hall at the University of the Free State (UFS) last night – Thursday, 21 March.
The championships, taking place in the Free State capital Bloemfontein, started today, ending on Monday, 25 March.
“Live your dream and set yourself goals and focus on achieving them. Always try to raise the bar high, 70% is not enough as your goal. Try to achieve 100%, even 120%. Attitude is every important in your journey.
“The only disability we have in our lives, is a bad attitude which prevents us from achieving goals. If we cannot change circumstances, then change your attitude to change the circumstances,” says Coetzee, who is a living testimony that positive attitude propels one to greater heights. She is the winner of multiple medals in track competitions and marathons globally and in South Africa, as well as in education.
Coetzee’s academic qualifications include a BA degree and BAHons degree in Integrated and Corporative Marketing Communication, and a Master’s degree in Social Cohesion and Reconciliation. She serves in the SASAPD and is a coordinator of para-sport at the UFS. Coetzee says she was delighted to be part of the federation’s organising team. “Being part of the organising committee gave me a different view of the championships, but I remain excited to race, see everyone, and catch up. I am grateful to everyone who helped to make these championships happen and to the media for capturing it all.”
Moekie Grobbelaar, president of the SASAPD, says the national championships are fundamental for athletes to perfect and improve their performances ahead of the Paralympic Games taking place in Paris from 28 August to 8 September.
“Beyond the pursuit of medals and accolades, the Paralympic Games embody something far greater – they symbolise the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, the power of inclusion and diversity, and the boundless potential that resides within each and every one of us,” says Grobbelaar. She says a significant increase in male competitors this year when compared to last year, and an overall increase in participant numbers to 708 signal that this was something worth celebrating under the trying challenge of financial support.
The championships continue with boccia, goalball, para cycling and para swimming competitions. Athletes compete in eight sporting codes at different venues in the city: swimming at the UFS; boccia in the Callie Human Centre at the UFS; goalball at the Tempe Indoor Centre; para judo at the Martie du Plessis School; Paralympic powerlifting at the Training Edge gym in Fichardtpark; cerebral palsy football at the UFS football field; para cycling at Brandkop; and athletics track and fields at the Mangaung Stadium.
