Speaking at the reception of the runners-up, the head of state refused to consider the team as runners-up: "I refuse to consider you runners-up. You are champions, and you are champions not only for Istanbul. You are here for all the victories won throughout the ages".
In his words, João Lourenço stressed that the athletes knew how to represent the country and that they are expected to serve as an example for everyone.
"It is with open hands that Angola welcomes you, welcomes its children who, with great dignity, knew how to say 'yes', knew how to represent the country. What we hope is that you serve as an example, so that all Angolans can also respond 'yes' in the face of the challenges they encounter in life", he said.
"We will all learn from you to overcome the obstacles that each of us, in his professional life, in his way of being in society, encounters every day. Because, in life, obstacles always exist. it wouldn't taste. It only tastes because we are challenged every day and we have to prepare, we have to sacrifice ourselves, to win every day", he added.
João Lourenço also mentioned that "you don't win just once in your life", it is necessary "to win in every minute, in every hour, in every day of our lives".
"You are a good example for all of us, for all Angolans", he added.
In his speech, the head of state also took the opportunity to reveal that the country will have a training center for Paralympic sport, to be built in the city of Caxito and which should be ready in about two years.
"It will be a well-equipped centre, with good accommodation and training conditions, not only for football, but for all the Paralympic modalities in which Angola has participated, both internally and in international competitions", he said.
At the ceremony, João Lourenço received a shirt from the national team: "I made a point of wearing the shirt, even on top of the suit, because I also feel like a football player for amputees".
Remember that the national team was in second place in the world championship, after losing in the final against Turkey.
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