The local chapter of Special Olympics Philippines (SOP) is urging parents of persons with intellectual disabilities in Palawan to support them in sports to develop their abilities and skills.
SOP is an organization that serves athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Philippines, providing children and adults with year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports.
Edgar Clamor, president of the SOP Palawan Chapter, said the main focus is to give persons with intellectual disabilities the chance to also excel in sports as it leads to a well balanced mental and physical growth and tones up muscles and strengthens bones.
“We cannot help the children kung hindi matutulungan ng magulang. Number 1 din na pino-promote namin or ina-advocate ay ‘yong mga magulang na sana maging open sila and then willing to accept na puwedeng mag-sports ang mga anak nila dahil meron namang nag-e-excel sa sports, academics and so on. Pero iilan at kaya lang nag-e-excel sila kasi hindi lang 100% ang suporta ng magulang, kundi more than 100% pa nga. Sana ganoon din ang gawin pa ng ibang magulang,” Clamor said.
On July 20, SOP Palawan Chapter held its 4th Special Olympics Sports Fest in the city with over a hundred persons with intellectual disability from different barangays and schools with Special Education in celebration of the 41st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.
The games include a cheer dance competition, athletics, basketball, bocce sports, and art-on-the-move.
Qualifiers will be trained by the City Sports to compete in the regional games.
The activity was supported by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), government and non-government agencies such as the JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock, Inc. or Peacock Jaycees.
“Ang Special Olympics ay matagal na, actually, meron din Special Olympics worldwide. Pero sa Palawan pang-fourth pa lang ito. We celebrate it in relation with the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week and ngayon ang daming sumali to support this event,” Clamor said.
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