Team members as they reached the Arrival Lounge at the CJIA
Guyana’s successful Special Olympics team was, in the wee hours of yesterday morning, met with a grand reception at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, upon their return from the games in Berlin, Germany.
The welcoming team was headed by Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle. An Indigenous dancing quartet and a Tassa Troupe provided a festive hero’s welcome to the five-member Olympics contingent, which comprised Head of Delegation, Wilton Spencer; Athletes Rachel Mortley, Stephanie Ramotar and Daniel Samsundar; and Coach Lavern Lee-Alleyne.
Guyana’s participation in the 16th edition of the Special Olympics World Games, which were held for the first time in Berlin, Germany from June 17th-25th, resulted in Guyana receiving five medals in the discipline of Bocce.
The team returned to these local shores 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.
Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle (2nd from right) posing with the Guyana Special Olympics contingent following their return on Tuesday morning at the CJIA
Approximately 7000 athletes and 3000 coaches from 190 nations participated in the prestigious event, which featured 26 disciplines.
Director of Sports, Steve 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 representing their nation.
According to Ninvalle, this achievement highlights what can be achieved when unwavering commitment supersedes prevailing challenges. He noted 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 would 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.
On the other hand, Head of the Delegation, Wilton 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 nevertheless, 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 this level and return empty-handed. He affirmed 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 that they are elated to have represented their country and secured silverware.
