NLA, Max Int., Herbalife support Special Olympics

Three organisations, the National Lottery Authority (NLA), Max International and Herbalife, have donated a total of GH¢60,400 to Special Olympics Ghana to facilitate their participation in the Special Olympics World Games scheduled for Los Angeles from July 21 to August 3.

While the NLA donated GH¢28,000 as their widow’s mite to Special Olympics Ghana, Max International and Herbalife donated GH¢23,000 and GH¢9,400 respectively to Team Ghana.

The athletes and officials of the Ghana team turned to corporate bodies and the public for sponsorship following the failure of the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide funds for the multi-sport competition.

Team Ghana, made up of persons who are intellectually handicapped selected from across the country, need an estimated amount of $300,000 for equipment and general preparation, as well as air tickets for 28 athletes and seven officials to fly to Los Angeles to participate in the games.

Making the presentation on behalf of Max International, the Country Manager, Mr Tekle Menelik, commended the board members of Special Olympics Ghana for their efforts in using sports to nurture the potentially of persons who are intellectual handicapped.

He promised his organisation’s continuous support to sustain their programmes.

The Country Director of Herbalife, Mr Frederick Amissah, said the participation of the intellectually-handicapped people in the games was more important than the medals they would win.

He, therefore, charged them to strive to participate in future tournaments to enable them to unearth more potential.

The National Director of Special Olympics Ghana, Mr Seth Yao Asamoah, who received the money on behalf of the team, commended the three organisations for their gesture and urged others to emulate them.