Sports Minister tees up for Blind Golf Championships

The World Blind Golf Championship is being held for the first time in Northern Ireland from 10 – 12 August 2008.

Speaking ahead of the championship Sports Minister, Gregory Campbell said: “Belfast's Belvoir Park Golf Club has been chosen to host this fascinating event, which will feature over 50 of the world’s top blind golfers from 13 countries competing for the title of World Champion.

“Members of the Northern Ireland Blind Golf Association and Belvoir Park Golf Club should be congratulated for working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure this truly world class event in Northern Ireland for the first time.”

The Minister continued: “Tournaments such as this showcase, to the people of Northern Ireland and indeed further afield, that having a disability need not be a barrier to participating in sport at all levels.

“Later this year I hope to launch a Sport and Physical Recreation Strategy which will encourage all of us, including people with disabilities to adopt a more active lifestyle.”

Blind Golf is played with the golfer assisted by a sighted guide or caddy, who gives verbal information on distance, direction and characteristics of each hole.

Paying a special tribute to the golfing guides the Minister said: “The guides who accompany and support the golfers, not just throughout the tournament but in preparing for tournaments, deserve a special thank you for their commitment to this sport.

“I would like to wish everyone a successful three days of golfing and hope they you enjoy their visit to Northern Ireland.”

Notes to Editors:

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