Digicel contributes significantly to Special Olympics Association

Road to 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games

The Caribbean’s largest mobile network, Digicel, continued to aid in the development of sport in Guyana. In an event held at the National Racquet Centre at Wolford Avenue, on Friday last, Digicel contributed financially towards the athletes that will participate in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
This multi-sport event will be held in Abu Dhabi from March 14, with the opening ceremony on March 21 that will feature 174 countries from around the globe, including Guyana. Speaking at the event, Digicel’s Sponsorship Executive Luanna Abrams expressed gratitude on behalf of Digicel to extend their longstanding relationship with the Special Olympics Association. Digicel is confident in the athletes and wished them great success.
The Head of Delegations and Special Olympics Committee, Wilton Spenser produced insight about the Special Olympic Games. He noted that 7500 athletes will participate in the Games, and four coming from Guyana. The four athletes are Calvin Thomas, Faith King, Abdhur Brathwaite and Desya George. These athletes will be accompanied by a coach, the head of delegation and a chaperone. Three of the selected athletes will participate in the 200 meters, 400 meters and 4×4 relay events.
Calvin Thomas, who has experience in the special Olympic Games, will participate in the 3000 and 5000 meters, and the 4×4 relay event. On Thomas’ previous outings, he copped one Gold medal and a Silver medal at the Special Olympic event.
The Head of Delegations and the Special Olympics Committee, Spenser, thanked Digicel for the financial support but the committee is still in need Guyana $1,540,652 for airfare and the female chaperone is an additional expense. The chaperone’s accommodation and transportation fee that is needed is US$1810. Furthermore, Spenser revealed that the overall funds that they are in need is GY$1,934,372.
Spenser called for more to follow Digicel’s footsteps to support the Special Olympics Association to meet the needed target to represent the country at the mega-event commencing in March in Abu Dhabi. The contact number for the Head of Delegations and Special Olympics Committee is 673-4673.
The athletes who will be participating are well prepared, having undergone intense training from coach Mark Scott. Scott stated that the team has been training for nine months and they are prime for the event, since the athletes are usually involved in games at Base Camp Ayanganna.