Maponyane to grace DSN Gala

South African football legend Marks Maponyane has agreed to deliver a motivational speech at the forthcoming Disability Sport Namibia Annual Recognition Gala Event Disability Sport Namibia.

The function, which will recognise and award athletes with disabilities for their outstanding accomplishments in 2014, will be held at the Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek on 11 September.

The Gala Event is organised by DSN, the National Umbrella sport body responsible for developing sport for people with disabilities in the country, in partnership with NamPower and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA).

“We are glad to announce that we have invited Mr Marks Maponyane, a seasoned motivational speaker, to motivate our athletes at this event. Marks has been involved with motivational speaking for most of his football career and also is a successful businessman,” said DSN secretary-general Esther Nambala.

Special guest Maponyane is a familiar face to Namibians, many of whom have closely followed his 17-year professional football playing career.

In 1984, he was nominated as South African Sports Hero of the Year. In 1983, 1987 and 1994 Maponyane was awarded the SA Football Player of the Year award – the only South African to receive this award more than once.

Maponyane captained SA glamour club Kaizer Chiefs between 1981 and 1991, scoring an all-time leading 85 goals in 192 games for them.

Maponyane was capped 13 times by Bafana Bafana, scoring two goals.

Currently an analyst on SABC, Maponyane is also the Sales Executive at Adidas South Africa and has done motivational talks at Toyota and Nissan SA.

With the South African on board, the organisers expect that “this will yet be another historic event as it will be the fifth time that a recognition ceremony of this nature will be held in Namibia specifically for people with disabilities”.

Several, Special Olympics and Paralympics athletes, including Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Lahja Ishitile and Johanna Benson, have had outstanding performances in 2014 and are expected to be among the front runners whose efforts will be honoured celebrated.

A total of 20 Special Olympics and Paralympics athletes will be recognised for their achievements at the Annual Recognition Gala Event.

“Thanks to NamPower, who are the key sponsors of Disability Sport Namibia and co- sponsors MVA Fund, for making this event possible and for committing to yet another year of support to Disability Sport Namibia,” Nambala said.

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