Namibia set for Unified World Cup in Paris
Special Olympics Namibia (SON) has been selected to compete at this year’s Unified Football World Cup, scheduled for 5 to 11 July at Stade Charléty Stadium in Paris, France.
The announcement was made during a press conference yesterday hosted by Special Olympics France, the maiden hosts of the tournament.
Previously known as the Unified Cup, the event debuted in 2018 in Chicago, United States, with the second edition held in Detroit in 2022. The Paris tournament marks the third edition.
Namibia first participated in 2022 with a women’s team and will once again compete in the women’s division against eleven other nations, including fellow African representatives Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt.
Other participating countries are hosts France, Azerbaijan, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Slovakia, Thailand and the United States.
The Paris competition follows SON’s recent international success at the inaugural Unified 3-on-3 Basketball World Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico, last December, where Namibia claimed silver in the men’s category.
Selection process
SON director Levien Smit explained that Special Olympics International (SOI) allocates participation quotas to each continent.
“Each continent is considered based on the development groundwork being done in that specific sport. They also assess whether countries are in good standing following previous international competitions,” she said.
Smit noted that SON submitted a comprehensive football development plan, along with feedback from prior international participation, which formed part of the evaluation process.
National qualifiers in May
As part of preparations, SON will host national games in Swakopmund from 4 to 10 May, featuring six sports: basketball, football, volleyball, athletics, beach volleyball and tennis.
“These games will serve as qualifiers for the team that will represent Namibia at the Unified Football World Cup, as well as teams that will later compete at the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile, from 16 to 25 October,” said Smit.
The 2027 Games are expected to attract over 6 000 athletes from 170 countries competing in 22 sports at the National Stadium Sports Park. It will mark the first time the event is hosted in the Southern Hemisphere and Latin America.
Breaking down stereotypes
Smit emphasised that international participation extends beyond competition.
“Opportunities for unified athletes are limited, so every opportunity is significant because this is about more than sport. An international platform allows them to grow and develop as athletes. It gives them experiences we cannot provide locally,” she said.
She added that international exposure changes how athletes are perceived upon returning home.
“It improves their social standing. These athletes deserve respect, value and appreciation. The unified team environment fosters teamwork and friendships, which helps break down stigma and promote acceptance of different abilities.”
Logistical and financial challenges
Smit acknowledged that international participation comes with logistical and financial demands.
“There are significant costs involved, including flights, visas and other essentials. We need sponsors to come on board to make this possible,” she said.
Recent participation at the Unified 3-on-3 Basketball World Cup in Puerto Rico and the Unified Volleyball World Cup in Katowice, Poland, was largely funded by the sports ministry, with additional support from the SOI and disability sport partners.
While accommodation, meals and transport are covered by organisers at these events, Smit noted that funding is still required to ensure teams can travel and represent the country on the global stage.
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