Special Olympics of T&T (SOTT) celebrated its 30th anniversary with an awards ceremony at Movietowne, Invaders Bay, Port-of-Spain, recently. People and organisations who contributed to the success over the past three decades were honoured. Longstanding sponsors, supporters, volunteers, coaches, schools, athletes, former chairmen and the media were among the acknowledged. Board chairman Norma James paid special tribute to the founder of the Special Olympic Games, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who led the struggle to improve and enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
James said, "She spoke about acceptance, understanding and giving back to others. So today, we want to give back by saying thank you to all who have passionately and consistently steered the course over the 30 years to bring us to where we are today." James also commended the Board's first chairman Bertrand Doyle for his role. "I want to give a special thanks to Mr Doyle. We thank you for setting the tone and paving the way for all of us who have passed through and still are passing through."
T&T's special olympians have participated in eight Summer Special Olympics and five Winter Games and had their best showing at the last Summer Games in Athens, Greece, winning 35 medals (15 gold, 15 silver and 5 bronze).
James was particularly happy with the achievement. "We are very proud of that achievement and are also proud to be showcasing T&T on the world stage for the last 30 years. (In Athens) We got four gold medals in aquatics, athletics-four gold also and would you imagine in Equestrian-seven gold. "I challenge any sporting organisation in T&T to better that."
James also commended Digicel for its support of the movement. Digicel (T&T) chief executive officer John Delves praised the team on its performances in Greece, saying: "T&T has much to be proud of in recent weeks as Keshorn Walcott struck gold in the Olympics in London. "Our people were equally proud of the endeavours of our special olympians at the 2011 Summer Games in Athens, Greece, and the national Games earlier this year. "It was inspiring to see them rise above sometimes seemingly insurmountable obstacles to qualify and compete." Also present at the ceremony was the hockey team for next year's Special Winter Olympics carded for Pyeong Chang, South Korea, from January 26 to February 5.
Honour Roll-Special
Audrey Clarke, Zalayhar Hassanali, Ralph Lee
Dedicated service through the years
Clement Williams (THA Information Division). Allan Baboolal (NAAA), Jerome Lee, Clayton Clarke (Trinidad Guardian), Dillon Cato, Horsham Printery, Jennifer Lander (First Citizens), Kenrick Baksh (Global Youth), Linda Morris (Halyconia Inn), Lucille Ton Quong, Mt Lambert RC Church, Tony Lee (i95.5 FM)
Continuous Support: Lady Hochoy Home, H20 Phlo, Mighty Trini, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Social Development, Tobago House of Assembly.
Media: 102.1 FM, Andre Baptiste, Gayelle, Triniview, TV6.
Sponsors: EOG Resources, Blue Waters Products, Business Boosters, Cascadia Hotel, First Citizens Bank, National Lotteries Control Board, Royal Bank of Canada, Republic Bank Limited, Three Star Sportwear, Sagicor Life, Digicel.
Volunteers: Abigail Barnes, Clinton, Poon Young, Grace Parkinson, Janet Prescod, Lisa O'Neil, June Xavier, Katherin Duncan, Kwame Cowie, Linda Blood, Rhona Haris, Tony Rahim, Kenrick Baksh Sr, Viola Tille-Sounge, Clunis Wallen, Cheryl DeCoteau, Lystra Headley, Kenneth McMayo
Institutions: Immortelle Children's Centre, Lady Hochoy Vocational, Memisa Day Training Centre, National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, St Ann's Hospital
Coaches: Fay Gillespie, Cheryl Baird, Claudia Francis, Cpl Keith Thomas, Lynette Hoyte-Sanchez, Ronald De Silva, Seniar Williams, Dotsie Bacchus, Clevanic Cupid, Dianne Le Cointe.
Past Chairmen: Patrick Doyle, Martia Bailey-Turpin, Patrick Rouse.
Outstanding Athlete: Ancil Greene
Athletes: Rebecca Ferreira (basketball), Theresa Duncan (aquatics), Nicholas Mohammed (cricket), Ryan Butler (football), Learie Bucha (floor hockey), Giselle Benjamin (equestrian), Michael Thomas (bocce), Linda Peter (athletics), Roderick Parris (athletics)