Government partners with Special Olympics Int’l

Special Olympics is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit and productive members of society through sports training and competition. This evening Special Olympics signed an agreement of cooperation with the government of Belize to strengthen ties and to provide more opportunities and recognition for disabled youths. Signing on the behalf of Belize was Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Alan Auil, Chairman of Special Olympics Belize, Maureen Webber, Chairlady of Special Olympics Caribbean and signing on the behalf of Special Olympics North America was Bob Gobrecht, the organization’s managing director.

Bob Gobrecht, Managing Dir., Special Olympics N. America
“The signing is really an important agreement that we—and a protocol will be followed for selected countries around the world to really say that Special Olympics is here and it’s going to be a movement that will play an important part of the fabric of the society here in Belize as it has in other countries in the region like Jamaica and throughout the world.”

Jose Sanchez
“How does it actually affect the special needs students?”

Bob Gobrecht
“Well, it starts with the top; it starts with the prime minister or a global ambassador. It sends a strong message to volunteers, to the business communities, to the rest of society that Special Olympics is something that the government would like to build, to nourish and to recognize.”