Differently-abled athletes take the limelight at 8:30 a.m. today when the 1st Provincial Sportsfest for Persons with Disabilities fires off at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City.

Bacolod City hopes to retain its overall championships against teams from the cities of Talisay, Silay, Cadiz, Kabankalan, Sagay, San Carlos, La Carlota and Bago.

Also challenging the Bacoleños, who have always been favored because of its school-based players from the Special Education Center, are differently-abled athletes from the towns of Ilog, Pontevedra, Murcia, La Castellana and Hinigaran.

Gold medals in the swimming, 100-meter sprint, running long jump, discus throw and shotput competitions will be disputed by athletes that are mentally retarded, visually impaired, hearing impaired, amputees and orthopedically handicapped.

Goalball, a volleyball event for the blind, will also be played during the one-day event as well as sitting volleyball for the OH, mixed volleyball for the HI, and chess, table tennis and wheelchair race for the OH.

Lowell Raner, president of the Association of Disabled Persons-Negros chapter, said the hostilities that aim to develop camaraderie among differently-abled athletes in the province and will serve as a training ground for the Negrenses who will earn the right to banner Negros Occidental in the National Para Games next year.

Tournament organizers said that this is the first time the Provincial Government, headed by Gov. Joseph Marañon, sponsored the tournament, which is also supported by the Provincial Sports and Development Office.

The event is part of the 28th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week celebration themed, "Kalikasan Pangalagaan, Kapansanan Maiiwasan". *CIT

back to top

World championship stint for 3 NTU jins
Negros paralympics fires off at USLS today
Nopsscea slates Sept. 22 opening
Kabankalan drag race set
St. Rose battles SBS in BUSG opener
Class 2001, '84 gain edge in SJHS tilt