Special Olympians prepare for international event
Recent forays into the International sporting arena by Belizean athletes have not been particularly encouraging … but later this summer athletic teams from Belize will be travelling far and wide to represent the country. Today I watched them get into shape.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Despite the warm weather the children who will be representing Belize in the upcoming Central American Games for Students with Disabilities in Guatemala City and the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China, were out at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex getting ready for the competition.
Atkintade Atkens, National Director, SOBz
“Give them the sports fitness and to further divide them into the various competitions that they will be competing in when they go to this particular event later this year. Also, what we are looking at is to build a team spirit among the two teams that will be going to Guatemala and China. As you would have noticed, both competitions will be coming up at the same time, so we are trying to build a spirit of oneness between those that will be going to Guatemala and the ones that will be going to China.”
Forty-five students between the ages of eight and thirteen are expected to compete in both major events, which officially start on September twenty-sixth.
Akintade Atkens
“The overall and general vision of Special Olympics is to bring persons with disabilities, wherever they are in Belize, into the general society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the opportunities to become useful and productive citizens.”
It is the third time that Special Olympics Belize will be sending a team to the international games and the second time the students will be competing regionally. Due to a lack of financial support, SOBz was not able to send any teams to the past two previous events; however positive response to the 2007 Games has made these children’s dreams come true.
Akintade Atkens
“You might have known, some of these games are quite expensive to undertake. But I would say this year people have been very generous to us and I have to say it openly that we are very grateful because gifts have been coming from both left and right. You know, people have been very generous to us this year and that is why we are being able to undertake these two major events.”
The children will be competing in sporting disciplines like track and field and swimming.
If you would like to financially assist the team please contact the Special Education Unit at telephone numbers 224-4564 or 223-1150. The students will be accompanied to the games by coaches and chaperones.
