Special Olympics Namibia, in collaboration with the Namibia Sports Commission, hosted a send-off ceremony for the Unified Volleyball team as they prepare to compete in the first-ever Unified Volleyball World Cup.

The tournament, which will be staged in Katowice, Poland, marks a historic milestone—celebrating the achievements of athletes with intellectual disabilities on a global stage.

Namibia will be proudly represented by the Omusati Volleyball team, who booked their ticket to Poland after winning the national Unified Volleyball tournament held a month ago.

Chief Administrator of the Sport Commission, Freddy Mwiya, expressed pride in the athletes, emphasizing the significance of their journey as a symbol of inclusion and inspiration.

Mwiya said: "What is so important about the concept of Unified Sport is that it brings everyone together. We first introduced it at Region 5, and this is the inaugural competition of its kind in the SADC area. As we send this team off, they must know they are very, very special, and I can already see the discipline they display. That gives us pride and confidence."

Team captain Given Kaholongo also shared his excitement, saying they are determined to give their all for the country.

Kaholongo said: "I believe in our team's strength and pride, because we are not just playing for ourselves—we are playing for our country. We are proud to wear the Namibian jersey, and we are going to give our all on the court. As a team, we are prepared to head into this international competition, representing Namibia on the global stage."

With discipline, pride, and determination, Namibia's Unified Volleyball team now embarks on their historic journey to Poland, carrying not only their dreams but also the hopes of a nation standing firmly behind them.