The Minister met Arthur Dean, President of the Dwarf Athletic Association UK (DAAUK) and competitors from across the world taking part in the Games, at a reception yesterday in Parliament Buildings. The 5th World Dwarf Games will run from Sunday 26 July to 2 August 2009 and are a major international event in the Paralympic calendar.
The Games attract a number of athletes from up to 20 countries and the competitors range in age from 2-70 years old.
Welcoming the competitors to Northern Ireland, the Minister said: “The Dwarf World Games are a major international event in the Paralympic calendar and I very much welcome the Games to Belfast. This is the first time Northern Ireland has had the privilege of hosting the Games and it is encouraging to see so many nations represented.
“I would like to acknowledge the tremendous work of the Dwarf Athletic Association for Northern Ireland (DAAN.). Northern Ireland’s success in attracting this event is a tribute to the volunteers in Northern Ireland and within DAANI’s parent body, the Dwarf Athletic Association for United Kingdom.
“Participating in sport, at every level, brings rewards. For the athletes at these Games it is the opportunity to test their training, skill and ingenuity against over 300 of the finest sports people in each discipline. It is also a chance to experience the camaraderie that competing as part of a team and taking part in a major event can bring.
"The World Dwarf Games will provide opportunities for local children and adults to become involved in a variety of sports, to a level of their choice. Furthermore this event showcases Northern Ireland as a base for pre training camps for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games.”
Notes to Editors:
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