By: Angop
The Angolan statesman, João Lourenço, handed over the Flag of the Republic this Sunday to the country’s delegation to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, urging its members to honor the Nation, regardless of the number of medals.
João Lourenço was taking part in the ceremony handing over the Flag of the Republic and bidding farewell to the Angolan delegation to the Olympic Games, taking place from the 24th of this month to the 8th of August, and the Paralympic Games, from the 24th of August to the 8th of September, both competitions in Tokyo.
The President of the Republic considered it worthy and a dream for any athlete to represent the country in both events, fighting to win the medals in dispute.
He said he knew that he handed the Flag into good hands and to “young people who will do everything to honor the good name of Angola, (…) no matter how many medals they bring to the country”.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Ana Paula do Sacramento Neto, declared that the delegations will participate with the aim of doing well and representing well.
The president of the Angolan Olympic Committee (COA), Gustavo da Conceição, stated that Angola is prepared to have a worthy participation, both with the Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Gustavo da Conceição said that the Angolan Olympic team is made up of 39 athletes from five sports, three of which qualified on merit and for having completed the qualifying games, namely handball, sailing and judo.
The other two, he explained, athletics and swimming, in accordance with the rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), are open to participation by all countries in the world.
The president of the Angolan Olympic Committee informed that of the 39 members of the delegation, 23 are women and 16 men. “We will do everything to dignify national sport and show the world the potential of Angolan sporting youth”.
He said that in the Paralympic Games, taking place from August 24th to September 8th, Angola will participate with two athletes classified on merit, in athletics. Of these athletes, one has a visual disability and the other has a motor disability.
Angola’s flag bearer, Natália Bernardo, was grateful for the recognition and considered the responsibility she received from her sister, who played the same role in previous Olympics, great.
Natália Bernardo said that the Angolan delegation leaves for Tokyo with the expectation of improving national brands.
Judoka Neide Diassoma considered it a dream and privilege for any athlete to be part of the delegation.
Witnessed the delivery of the Flag of the Republic, among other entities, ministers of State, ministers, secretaries of the President of the Republic, as well as the recently appointed provincial governor of Luanda, Ana Paula de Carvalho.