CHAMPIONING INCLUSIVITY AT THE INAUGURAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS REGIONAL GAMES CARIBBEAN
Penny Gomez, CEO of the Digicel Foundation (Centre), cheers on the success of these champions at the 2024 Special Olympics Regional Games at Maracas Beach on 10 November 2024.
FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024, PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – From November 8 - 10, the Caribbean’s first-ever Special Olympics Regional Beach Games brought together athletes and supporters from across 13 countries for a powerful display of sportsmanship and inclusivity.
Featuring six beach sports – Beach Bocce, Beach Cricket, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Open Water Swim, and Aquathlon – athletes from the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, and Guyana showcased their skills and championed the mission of Special Olympics.
: Bocce in the blazing heat: This athlete keeps his eye on the ball in the Bocce competition at the Special Olympics Regional Beach Games at Maracas Beach.
In addition to the Games, the Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT) hosted several special events including Healthy Athlete Screenings, a Family Health Forum, Culture Night, and Family Engagement Workshops, to provide crucial healthcare to individuals with intellectual disabilities and help athletes live healthier lives.
The Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, Minister of Sport and Community Development, officially opened the Games on Friday, November 8, at the Lions Club in Port of Spain. In her address, she announced a pledge of TT$1 million to the SOTT and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusivity, expressing her intent to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to join the coalition for inclusive education. “This partnership reaffirms our Government’s commitment and belief in equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all,” stated Minister Cudjoe-Lewis.
Penny Gomez, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago Foundation – which contributed TT $135,000 towards the Games – commended the SOTT on its achievement as hosts of the first regional event of this kind. “Our nation proudly wears a badge of honour as hosts of the inaugural Special Olympics Regional Beach Games. This marks a new era in Special Olympics, in which the Caribbean region – known for its sun, sea, and sand – will truly shine as a beacon of inclusivity,” she said.
The competition was fierce during the Special Olympics Regional Beach Football Games at Maracas Beach, 9 - 10 November 2024.
The Beach Games were the brainchild of Kester Gabriel, a former Special Olympics athlete from Tobago and now Manager of Sport and Development at Special Olympics in Washington, D.C. Gabriel, whose vision for the event began in 2016, expressed gratitude to SOTT for its support in making his dream a reality.
SOTT National Director Ferdinand Bibby, in his closing remarks, extended heartfelt thanks to all sponsors. “Your commitment has not only made this event possible but has also helped create an inclusive and empowering environment for athletes with intellectual disabilities to showcase their talents, build friendships, and achieve their dreams,” said Bibby.
But perhaps the most powerful statement of the weekend came during the vote of thanks delivered by aquatics athlete Mikel Williams. He shared: “To my fellow athletes, know that we are all champions. It does not matter where we place, we are all winners. As the oath says, ‘Let me win but if I don’t win, let me be brave in the attempt’, do not focus on where others have placed, just know that you are a winner from now, onwards!”
Beach Cricket at play during the Special Olympics Regional Beach Games on Saturday 9 November, 2024.
The Games concluded with award recognition for the Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago Board of Directors by Lorna Bell, Executive Director, Special Olympics Caribbean Initiatives, for their hard work, dedication, and commitment towards making the Special Olympics Regional Beach Games a reality.
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