The Special Olympic Games, held in preparation for the 2027 Special Olympics, kicked off at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday morning.
The games were officially opened by Mr Takali Themeli, a national board member of Special Olympics South Africa.
Teams from various municipalities participated in events such as football, bocce and table tennis.
Declaring the games officially open, Themeli encouraged all participating teams to do their best and bring pride to the Vhembe District during the upcoming Provincial Olympics, which will be held in Polokwane next month. The national games are scheduled to take place in the North West Province later this year.
Themeli, a well-known local football administrator, said he had been elected to the board of the National Special Olympics in 2013 and had attended the International Special Olympic Games twice — once in Germany and once in Greece.
He expressed hope that the teams would perform well and bring home more medals at the upcoming Special Olympics.
Meanwhile, Mr Rofhiwa Manwadu, the local ambassador for the Special Olympic Games, said he still felt capable of competing. "I still have the strength and endurance to participate in the Special Olympics at my age," he said.
When asked if he was still fit to compete internationally, the 41-year-old Manwadu replied that he continued to exercise and was ready to participate at any time.
Manwadu has represented his country in the Paralympic Games at various international venues, including in Germany, Sweden, Australia, Brazil, Italy, China, the United States and several African nations.