Like a good neighbor, Digicel is there.
Yesterday, the communications giant continued its support of Guyana’s Special Olympics Team which will compete at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin, Germany from June 17 – 25.
Despite not securing all of the funds needed as yet for the entire six-member contingent to travel, they were elated for the continued support of Digicel.
For the first time, the Special Olympics will compete in Bocce (a bowling game) and Guyana will participate in singles, doubles, and team competitions.
The athletes are Daniel Samsundar, Stephanie Ramotar, Rachel Mortley, and Keston Knights.
The officials are Wilton Spencer (Head of Delegation) and Lavern Lee-Alleyne (Coach). Guyana is one of 19 Caribbean countries scheduled to attend out of the approximately 210 countries in which 7,000 athletes will compete across 26 disciplines.
Furthermore, Spencer indicated that over the years they have won 45 medals – 12 gold, 20 silver and 13 bronze – mainly in the discipline of Track and Field.
According to Spencer, who is also President of Special Olympics Guyana, their mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
Though the likes of Digicel, the Guyana Olympic Association, the National Sports Commission, the Office of the First Lady and others have supported, there is still a significant shortfall to get all members into Germany said Spencer.
At this point, they have secured uniforms and airfare for two persons but just over G3M is needed to cover the rest of the team.
Spencer indicated the unforeseen expense was the need for them to travel to Trinidad and Tobago to get their visas for Germany.
For Digicel Guyana, support stems from the basis of aiming to see the continued development of human resources through sport and the impact it has on transforming communities, according to Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara.
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Godfrey Munroe, said they have supported the team’s endeavor and revealed there should programmes from national associations catering for Special Olympics and differently-abled athletes adding that he hopes that other bodies aid in the G$3M deficit,
Spencer is expected to arrive in Germany on June 9 to attend various HoD seminars while the remainder of the delegation will arrive June 12.
