By Nangamso Mabindla
4 November 2005

WHEN they get down to business, the disabled athletes at Buffalo City Sports Club don't disappoint, as the crowds at the East London City Hall discovered yesterday.

The club's organiser and development officer, Fezeka Simelela, said the club had organised the games to encourage disabled athletes to compete. Most of them were former pupils from Vuk'uhambe School for the Disabled in Mdantsane.

"After completing matric, some of these kids don't have anything to do. So we decided to encourage them to continue playing sport. With this mini exhibition, we want disabled people in Buffalo City to learn that there is a club to join if they are interested in sport," she added.

They competed in wheelchair basketball, table tennis and power lifting. Among those attending the event was Andile Kika from the Academy of Sports, who said he was impressed with the talent of the disabled youngsters.

He also spoke about the support the academy offered disabled athletes. "We assist athletes with their nutrition, we also help them with conditioning and other things needed to be successful sportsmen.

"I love what I saw here today and I think sport has a great future in our city," he said.

The athletes aim to approach interested people to support them.