Luanda - The Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, this Sunday handed over the Republic Flag 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 took part in the ceremony to hand over the Republic's Flag and farewell the Angolan delegation to the Olympic Games, taking place from 24th of this month to 8th of August, and Paralimpicos, from 24th of August to 8th of September, both competitions in Tokyo.
The President of the Republic considered it meritorious and a dream of any athlete to represent the country in both events, fighting to win the medals in dispute.
He said he knew that he delivered the flag in 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 representing and doing well.
The chairperson of the Angolan Olympic Committee (COA), Gustavo da Conceição, said that Angola is prepared to have a fair participation, both with the Olympic team and with the Paralympic team.
He added 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 chairperson 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 sports youth."
He said that in the Paralympic Games, taking place from 24 August to 8 September, Angola will participate with two athletes classified by merit in athletics. Of these athletes, one is visually impaired and the other is motor.
Angola's flag bearer, Natália Bernardo, thanked the recognition and considered the huge responsibility she received from her sister, who played the same role in the previous Olympics.
Natália Bernardo said that the Angolan delegation leaves for Tokyo with the expectation of improving national scores.
Judoka Neide Diassoma considered it a dream and privilege for any athlete to be part of the delegation.
The handing over of the Republic's Flag, among other entities, was attended by ministers of state, ministers, secretaries of the President of the Republic, as well as the newly appointed provincial governor of Luanda, Ana Paula de Carvalho.
