|
Special Olympics Hong Kong joined forces with the Outstanding Young Person's Association to organize a charity golf tournament on 21 March. This unique event, held at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, aimed to provide another chance for people with intellectual disabilities to hone their skills with golf amateurs, volunteers and local celebrities prior to the kickoff to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games (2-11 October in Shanghai, China).
 |
Special Olympics Hong Hong athlete Chan Hoi Chui shows good form as he tees off in a tournament that raised funds to send athletes to the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai. |
More than 60 golfers, including three Special Olympics athletes, made up nine teams that competed in the friendly 18-hole charity golf competition. Applause and high fives were everywhere during the event as Special Olympics Hong Kong athletes and other participants shared golfing tips. The event raised money to help Special Olympics Hong Kong athletes join the World Games in Shanghai this October.
During the event, teams formed by senior professors from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University taught the Special Olympics athletes how to keep calm during stressful competition. At the same time, officials from the Hong Kong Physical Education Sector encouraged the athletes to do the best they can by demonstrating how to tee off correctly. After the seven-hour competition, the Li team took first place, with the Outstanding Young Person's Association team taking second.
 |
Team members celebrate another great shot. |
I've already won 20 medals, said bronze medalist athlete Wen Shan. I really had a good time and I'm so happy today. I love to play golf during my spare time, said a volunteer from the Hong Kong office of the American International Assurance Company, Ltd. It felt so good to play along with the Special Olympics athletes today; I'm really glad to be able to assist those who need help. I believe more and more people should take part in such charity events because we're all better off when we help each other out. I hope the athletes continue to experience the excitement of playing sports.
The 2007 World Summer Games in Shanghai marks the first time the event will be held in Asia, and only the second time it will be held outside the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expect the World Games will draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.
Special Olympics athletes of all ability levels will compete in 23 different Special Olympics and Olympic-type sports: Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Cricket, Cycling, Dragon Boat Racing, Equestrian, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Judo, Kayaking, Powerlifiting, Roller Skating Sailing, Softball, Table Tennis, Team Handball, Tennis and Volleyball, as well as the Motor Activities Training Program. Special Olympics athletes not competing in the World Games will play crucial leadership roles off the sports field as officials, assistant coaches, reporters and spokespeople. |
