QUOTA International of Metro Cebu (QIMS) wants to empower special children through sports and will host the 2019 Sped Olympics on Aug. 17, 2019 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The events to be competed in the one-day event are the 100-meter run, 200m, 400m, 800m, 4x100m, 4x400m, shot put, running long jump, standing long jump, bocce and goal ball.
The events will be open to visually impaired (open to 25-below), intellectually-disabled (15-below and 16-25 years old), ortho/leg amputee (open to 25-below) and goalball/oucce (open to 25-below).
The event will be joined by public school students and will follow the international standard rules of competition.
The participating Sped centers are Banawa Elementary School, Barrio Luz Elementary School, Cebu City Central School, Bulacao Community School, Don Vicente Rama Memorial Elementary School, Guadalupe Elementary School, Guba Elementary School, Labangon Elementary School, Lahug Elementary School, Pardo Elementary School, San Nicolas Elementary School, Talamban Elementary School and Zapatera National High School.
The training program of the children will be provided by renowned coach John Philip Dueñas and Olympian Mary Joy Tabal.
“This Special Olympics was conceptualized way back in 2010. At the time, it was just a simple activity. I suggested to the group to do this event so the Sped athletes can get insights from coaches,” said lawyer Maria Dee Seares during Monday’s press conference at the Montebello Villa Hotel.
The event is part of Sped’s preparation in the step-ladder sporting meet of the Department of Education (DepEd). The DepEd meet starts with the Division Meet before progressing to the Cebu City Olympics/Provincial Meet, Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (Cviraa) and the Palarong Pambansa.
“These kids are being trained for the City Olympics and Cviraa. We are grateful to Quota and the coaches who are helping out,” said Cebu City Division Sped focal person Celestina Gohetia.
“I am excited to impart my learnings to these kids,” said Dueñas.
“Sports is for all. Anyone can do this. The story of these kids is inspiring,” said Tabal.
“We are willing to help in this event, especially to the kids,” coach Arvin Loberanis said.
QIMS was founded in November 2017 by past president Josephine Mapeso together with past president Lydia Ibañes and Socorro Codilla. QIMS is under Region 19 of Quota International Inc. the world’s oldest women’s organization established in New York in 1919. (RSC)