Digicel Guyana has continued an over decade-long support of Guyana’s Special Olympics Team, who will participate at the Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Berlin, Germany from June 17 – 25.
While the team has not secured all the need funds yet for the entire six-member contingent to travel, they are 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 part of 19 Caribbean countries scheduled to attend out of the approximately 210 countries participating in the Games; 7,000 athletes will compete across 26 disciplines.
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, Guyana Olympic Association, National Sports Commission, Office of the First Lady, and others have supported, there is still a significant shortfall to get all members into Germany.
At this point, they have secured uniforms and airfare for two persons but just over G$3M 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.
Digicel Guyana aims to see the continued development of human resources through sport and the impact it has on transforming communities, according to Communications Manager, Vidya Sanichara.
President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Godfrey Munroe, said they have supported the team’s endeavor and he has urged other bodies to aid in covering the G$3M deficit.
Spencer is expected to be in Germany on June 9 to attend various HoD seminars while the remainder of the delegation is expected to get there on June 12.
