Lingayen hosts Special Olympics

MANILA, Philippines - A record field of over 620 athletes will vie for top honors in various events in the Special Olympics National Games which fires off March 2 at the Narciso Ramos Stadium in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Held to help develop the intellectually disabled athletes’ skills and talent, the four-day event also serves as the qualifier for the 2011 World Games where the Philippines will compete in swimming, bowling and bocce (an Italian variety of lawn bowling played on a grass court), among others.

According to Special Olympics Philippines (SOP) national program director Alex Babst, the event has produced intellectually handicapped athletes who shone in recent sporting events in both local and international fields.

The Philippine contingent of 40 intellectually disabled athletes that saw action in the 2007 Special Olympics World Games held in Shanghai, China, made a record 52-medal haul, including nine golds. The Special Olympics National Games is sponsored by SOP’s North Luzon chapter under the auspices of Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and funded by the Office of the President.