Special Olympics turn to Ghanaians

Athletes and officials of Ghana’s team for next month’s Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles have turned to the public for sponsorship following their failure to secure sponsorship from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to enable them to participate in multi-sport competition.

The Ghana team, made up of persons who are intellectually challenged selected from across the country, need an estimated amount of $300,000 for equipment and general preparation, as well as purchase air tickets for 28 athletes and seven officials to fly to Los Angeles to participate in the July 21-August 3 games.

At a meeting of distributors of Herbalife products held at the La Palm Royal Hotel in Accra last Saturday, the Chairman of Herbalife, Mr Alan Lorenz, made an appealed to the distributors and the public to contribute generously to enable Ghana to participate in the world games.
“The games is taking place in our backyard in Los Angeles, so we cannot deny athletes in Ghana the opportunity to participate in the games for lack of funds,” he pleaded.

In an immediate response to the appeal, a member of the club donated $4,000 and pledged to convince other members across the country to raise funds to support the team.

An athlete, Derick Siw, said they had attended several of such games in the past and won medals for Ghana and promised the team would win laurels for the country if sponsored to the world games later next month.

“We know our capabilities, and if assisted we will contribute our quota to society. We pray you will take our plea to heart and help us with your donations, which will enable us to participate in the Special Olympics World Games. Don’t leave us behind,” he appealed.
Officials of the Ghana team told the Daily Graphic they had sent sponsorship proposals to many corporate bodies, both private and state owned, but were yet to receive any positive feedback.