Special Olympians gear up for swimming competition

May 20, 2009 Sports

Members of the differently able community are scheduled to showcase their skills at an aquatic meet organised by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The event, the annual Independence Swimming Competition, would be staged tomorrow, at the Colgrain Pool, Camp Street, Georgetown.

A press release issued by sports organiser, Wilton Spencer, confirms that some 10 organisations have so far assented to participate. Among them are, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Linden Centre for the Handicapped, Special Needs School, EBD, St Barnabas Special School and the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme, based in Region 2, Pomeroon/Supernaam.

Participants would be grouped into special categories including those with intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, hearing impairments and those physically challenged.

They would also be grouped by age and will compete in 18 events ranging from distances of 10 to 50 meters. Among the events are the freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, dog paddle and floatation.

Director of Youth and Sport, Neil Kumar will deliver the feature address and subsequently declare the occasion open. Activities get underway at 09:30hrs.