Minister Awards Special Golfers

Sports Minister Gregory Campbell has paid tribute to over 100 Special Olympians who took part in today’s Special Olympics Ireland Inter-Region Golf Championship at Massereene Golf Club in Antrim.

Speaking at the awards ceremony the minister said: “What I see here today amongst the young golfers is the true spirit, essence and determination of the Special Olympics athlete.

“The competition is now over and we have winners, but what is important is your desire to take part and your sheer determination to complete the course and enjoy the day.

“The theme for last year’s Special Olympic Games in Shanghai was “I Know I Can” - something that we could all learn from. It is a theme that you should all be proud of and if more of us adopted this attitude in our lives it would make the world a better place,” the minister said.

Mr Campbell also paid tribute to the organisers behind the championship.

“It has taken a team of 80 volunteers, headed by Ronnie McIlveen, Event Manager to make today’s event possible. Each volunteer has given their time freely but something tells me that your coaches and family all get as much out of your participation in the events as you do!” the minister said.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Special Olympic Ireland Inter-Regional Golf Championship is an annual competition between the five Irish Special Olympic Regions, Ulster, Munster, Connaught, Leinster and Eastern (Greater Dublin Area, has its own region due to the size of the population). The athletes compete at three different levels,
2. Level 2: The athletes play nine holes, alternating shots with an able bodied partner
3. Level 4: The athletes play nine holes as individuals,
4. Level 5: This is the most skilled group who will play 18 holes as individuals.
5. The athletes who finish first, second and third from each group receive a gold, silver or bronze medal and all of the other competitors receive a ribbon of commendation.
6. Details of the award winners can be obtained from Vicki Moody Tel:07971 790126
7. The Special Olympics is an international programme of year round sports training and athletics in a variety of sports for all children and adults with a learning disability. Nearly one million Special Olympics athletes, from eight to eighty, train year-round for the love of sport, the thrill of accomplishment and for some the chance to complete in the World Games. It has become one of largest and most successful sports and volunteer organisations in the world.
8. Special Olympics was established in 1978 and is an island programme, comprising five regions - Leinster, Eastern Region (Dublin and surrounding areas), Munster, Connaught and Ulster. Special Olympics Ireland has 11,000 athletes participating in 12 sports through 402 clubs, supported by 18,000 volunteers.
9. All media enquiries to DCAL Press Office on 028 9025 8901 or email: press.office@dcalni.gov.uk or to DETI Press Office on 028 9052 9297. After hours duty press officer pager number 07699 715440.