Ghana ready for Special Olympics in Los Angeles

Plans are far advanced for Ghana to participate in the 2015 Special Olympics to be  held in Los Angeles.

The event, scheduled for July 21 to 24,  2015, will see Ghana participating in soccer,  field and track events.

In all, a total of 28 athletes, eight coaches, and six officials, will make up the Ghana team.

Each of the athletes would be accompanied by two family members to cater for them at the team’s village during the competition.

Special Olympics Ghana, mandated to  coordinate  activities of team Ghana, is putting measures in place to include some dignitaries in the Ghana contingent,  as a way of motivating the athletes to perform creditably.

Already,  Special Olympics Ghana has organised regional competitions across the country to select  athletes  to represent Ghana.

Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through  the transformative power and joy of sports.  It also empowers people with intellectual disabilities for them to be accepted,appreciated and valued by members of their respective communities.

Briefing Daily Graphic about the Los Angeles  event, the Area Manager of Ecobank and Board member of Special Olympic Ghana ,  Nana Wereko-Ampem Opoku,  said they were determined to make a mark in the Los Angeles Special Olympics to prove that when given the opportunity,  people with disabilities could develop their potential.

He said feverish preparations were being made to  turn the  selected athletes into a winsome team for them to haul as many medals as possible.

According to Nana Ampem Opoku, the government had already assured the organisers of support for team Ghana  to participate in the games.

He said  it was, therefore, important for corporate Ghana to support Special Olympic Ghana with sponsorship  packages to make their preparations adequate.