Overwhelming support for inaugural Digicel’s Special Olympics
By Delvon McEwan
A high level of intensity was displayed by special athletes as Digicel yesterday in the National Park hosted the inaugural Guyana Special Olympic 5k walk, run, wheel, for persons with disabilities.
The event was funded by Digicel but organized by National Director of Special Olympic Guyana, Wilton Spencer, on behalf of his entity.
Some 43 persons participated in the event which was spread across four categories-Visually Impaired, Amputees, Persons with intellectual disabilities and wheelchair.
Winners all the way! The happy prize winners along with Jacquelin James (back row, red top) and Wilton Spencer (back row, yellow cap) at the closing ceremony of the 5k walk, run, wheel, for persons with disabilities in the national park on Sunday
In the male division of the visually impaired section, Paul Cotton finished first and Siles Rogers came in second while Mekyla Belgrave won the female segment.
Vlysess Edwards and Utramkumar Isurdeen were the respective winner and runner up in the wheelchair section.
Meanwhile, in the Amputee group, Dennis Berne, Pereirra Looknauth, Gavin Jeffers and Andre Richards finished first to fourth in that order.
Finally, Niomi Hicks won the Persons with intellectually disabilities and was followed by Ruthann Collis and Carolyn Matthews in second and third respectively.
In a brief comment, Digicel’s Head of Marketing Jacquelin James, said for an inaugural event it was fairly good and she is pleased with the amount of support for the athletes. She added that it is another area of exploration taken by Digicel as a part of development for sport in Guyana.
Spencer shared similar sentiments as James and was happy that the day went as planned, with the exception of late arrival by some athletes.
