Windhoek, Khomas Region. 13 July 2026
Statement by Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, delivered at the Welcome Home Reception for the Special Olympics Unified Gladiators.
Director of Ceremonies;
Honourable Dino Ballotti, Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport and Culture;
Honourable Moses //Khumub, Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President;
Dr. Freddy Mwiya, Chief Administrator of the Namibia Sport Commission;
The Leadership of Special Olympics Namibia;
Coaches, Team Management and Support Staff;
Our World Champion, the Unified Gladiators;
Distinguished Guests;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Fellow Namibians.
Good morning.
Today, the Land of the Brave is filled with pride and honour as we unite to welcome home our Special Olympics Unified Gladiators following their historic triumph at the 2026 Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup in Paris, France.
Today, we celebrate more than a gold medal. We celebrate courage, determination, resilience and the triumph of these incredible daughters of Namibian soil, who carried our National Flag with pride and emerged victorious on the greatest sporting stage.
Above all, we celebrate a team that has made history by becoming the first Namibian team to win a gold medal at the Special Olympics Unified Soccer World Cup.
On behalf of Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, and indeed the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to every member of this great team, the coaches, the unified partners, sponsors, officials and family members who contributed towards this remarkable achievement.
Your success has brought immense pride to our nation. You have carried the Namibian Flag with honour and have shown the world that Namibia is indeed a nation of talent, perseverance and excellence.
Director of Ceremonies,
The Eighth Administration has declared sport as one of its key priority areas because we recognise the power of sport to unite our people, improve lives, promote healthy communities and contribute to national pride and development. Therefore, this achievement is a testament to this national vision.
Our Government remains committed to investing in sport by developing our sporting infrastructure, supporting our coaches and empowering our athletes to ensure that success of this nature is not just a moment, but a continuous movement.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Unified Sport model reminds us that inclusion is not merely an aspiration; it is a value that must be lived. When athletes with and without intellectual disabilities compete together as equals, they demonstrate that our differences should never limit our potential. Instead, they become our greatest strength.
Today, our athletes have inspired each and every one of us. They have reminded us that excellence knows no boundaries and that, with commitment and teamwork, nothing is beyond our reach.
To our champions, I encourage you to continue striving for excellence. Wear this gold medal with humility, knowing that you have become ambassadors not only for Namibian sport, but also for inclusion, hope and unity.
As a nation, we celebrate you. We thank you. Most importantly, we are proud of you. Know that you are now role models for the next generation of Namibian stars. Your legacy is not just the medals you bring back, but the inspiration you have ignited in many young people across our country.
In conclusion, welcome home, our champions. Thank you for making us incredibly proud. Once again, congratulations on this historic achievement, and may your success inspire many Namibians to dream bigger, work harder and believe that anything is possible.
I thank you.
