According to a statement from the Presidency of the Republic, to which VerAngola had access, the reception of the women's handball team, which won the last African championship of the sport, took place at the end of the afternoon of this Tuesday, in a moment marked by "successive emotions, lots of relaxation, but, essentially, gratitude to the champion handball players for the many joys they have brought to the Angolan people".
Accompanied by the First Lady of the Republic, Ana Dias Lourenço, the head of state took the opportunity to highlight the achievements of the team and thank the athletes.
"The national team coach ended by thanking us, but we are the ones who should be thanking him. In fact, we don't even have words to thank him," said João Lourenço, who added: "We, Angolans in general, are surrendered to the overwhelming superiority that our senior women's handball team has managed to achieve on the African continent in recent years."
João Lourenço highlighted the achievements of the selection. "Sixteen titles out of a possible 22, 19 times on the podium, is a feat that few can achieve," he highlighted.
"We would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of ourselves, the Angolan Executive, and the Angolan people, to thank the sacrifice and commitment of these young women who have worked tirelessly to honor the good name of Angola on the continent and in the world", he said.
The head of state also spoke about the World Cup, saying that they will work to ensure that the country is close to the top of the rankings: "We have the World Cup just around the corner, later this year. We will start working immediately towards – I'm not saying winning the World Cup of the World – we are very close to the top places".
He also reaffirmed that the Government will continue to support the team.
"So, the answer to your request for the Executive to continue supporting the National Team is yes. We will, yes, support it and support it more than we have supported it to date," he reiterated.
"The World Cup is a greater challenge than the African Cup and, therefore, all support will be lacking, not only from the Executive, but I believe that civil society itself will also mobilize to, with the means they have, even with the simple moral support, giving strength to our glorious senior women's handball team", he added.
Wishing "a lot of strength", João Lourenço also addressed a word to the technical committee: "A word to the technical committee, to the national team coach and his assistants, the entire team, and, obviously, to the athletes themselves who, after all, they are the ones who have been on the field, on the pitch, trying to get the best possible benefit from the knowledge and teachings they receive from the technical committee".
"On behalf of the Angolans, once again, thank you very much for this feat, we don't know how to thank you," he said, adding: "There is no amount of money to thank you, there is no other material way, let's say, to thank you, other than affection of all Angolans towards this glorious team".
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