​18-year-old Kamo Mokoena is one of the soccer players who participated in the Regional Disability Games hosted by the Gauteng Department of Social Development in partnership with Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation and Special Olympics South Africa at Vaal University of Technology in Sedibeng.
The aim of the games is to motivate and empower People with Disabilities and to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Mokoena from Sebokeng Zone 12 in Sedibeng said playing soccer brings him joy and happiness because it stimulates his mental health. Despite the intellectual disabilities he lives with, he plans on fulfilling his wish to become a professional soccer player.
Mokoena, a proud soccer player, was declared a man of the match as he scored a hat trick during the soccer tournament, crushing the other teams.
His disability did not define him during the soccer match. Instead, he was paying attention to scoring the goals.
"I am happy to be the man of the match today, and I would like to encourage other people with the same condition to love themselves. Sport days are beautiful, and we can interact with people from all corners," said Mokoena.
Mokoena is a beneficiary at the Human Empowering Community Development Centre in Sebokeng Zone 12 (Ntabankulu), where he is in a protective workshop. He was ecstatic to have been a participant in the games and, overall, was the man of the match.
The man of the match said he looks up to Orlando Pirates legend Ndlondo; he inspires him to get up and play soccer every morning before class, rejuvenating his spirit and setting the mood for his day.