Guyana’s Special Olympic team received a rousing welcome on their return home following their success at the 16th Special Olympics World Games held from June 17-25 in Berlin, Germany.
The team which comprised Head of Delegation Wilton Spencer, athletes Rachel Mortley, Stephanie Ramotar, Daniel Samsundar, and coach Lavern Lee-Alleyne won five medals in the discipline of Bocce at the games.
The team returned with one gold accolade in the female singles segment, three silver medals in the female doubles division and a bronze award in the male singles section.
Approximately 7000 athletes and 3000 coaches from 190 nations participated in the prestigious event which featured 26 disciplines.
A welcoming party which was headlined by Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle, in the wee hours of Monday morning, ushered in the return of the Guyana Special Olympics World Games contingent to local shores at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.
Director of Sports, Ninvalle, praised the group on behalf of President Irfaan Ali, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. , and the Government of Guyana, for their momentous accomplishments in the representation of their nation.
An Indigenous dancing quartet and a Tassa Troupe provided a festive hero’s welcome.
According to Ninvalle, this achievement highlights what can be achieved when unwavering commitment supersedes prevailing challenges, noting that support will emanate and be forthcoming from the relevant sports entities in an effort to build on this noteworthy success.
Ninvalle disclosed that while he has never played the sport of Bocce, the resulting triumphs of the team have afforded the discipline mainstream aspiration.
He further revealed that a formal meeting between the Olympic team and Minister Ramson Jr., will ensue and that all matters relating to the development of the sport can and will be ventilated in an effort to move the discipline forward
“To the team heartfelt congratulations”, Ninvalle concluded. Head of the Delegation Spencer thanked the welcoming committee for the unexpected but overwhelming and appreciative reception, noting that the team worked assiduously to be able to compete at a “world-class activity” despite being only afforded a preparatory phase of seven months.
According to Spencer, though the team was unable to train on the requisite surface for the discipline, a reality that was only afforded upon arrival in Berlin, he is very satisfied with the performance of the group.
He explained, “Even though better could have been done. We made a few mistakes which cost us a few more gold medals, but never the less we rallied through and returned to Guyana with one gold, three silvers, and a bronze.”
Spencer further declared that the Special Olympics team has never departed local shores to compete at these strata and returned empty-handed, affirming that not only financial support is required but facilities that are conducive to the development of this sporting fraternity.
Meanwhile, the soft-spoken athletic trio of Rachel Mortley, Stephanie Ramotar, and Daniel Samsundar stated that the event was an amazing experience and they were elated to have represented their country and secured silverware.
