St Kitts-Nevis special Olympics team leaves for Summer Games in Abu Dhabi

Thirteen athletes from St. Kitts and Nevis accompanied by their coaches and other officials departed the RLB International Airport for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on March 06 to participate in the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games to take place from March 14 – 21.

Chair of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics St Kitts and Nevis, Ms. Clarice Cotton, said that the team was very lucky this year to gain sponsorship from the government in the form of air fare to and from the UAE for the athletes, and donations from other agencies for uniforms and other expenses.

“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis paid for the tickets to Abu Dhabi and we also had a sponsor for uniforms so we want to thank all those who supported us,” she said.

She said that this year is the first year that the team will be taking part in triathlon, cycling, and the open water swim.

“We hope that all of our athletes as usual will do well,” she said.

On March 01, the Dean of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), Sean Callanan, handed over a cheque to the tune of EC$10530 in support of the team’s travel.

Companies such as Digicel and Rams Trading Ltd and other corporate partners also gave their financial support to the team.

At the last World Games held in Los Angeles, USA, in 2015, the athletes were very successful. Seventeen (17) of the athletes participated and returned home with twenty-three (23) medals, including thirteen (13) gold.

Special Olympics is a global organization serving more than 3.9 million athletes in 170 nations. Special Olympics St Kitts and Nevis has been a member since 1983. The organization exists to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports to children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.