Pakistani athletes to participate in global competition in Los Angeles. PHOTO: AFP
The event is part of the US State Department’s Inclusion Diplomacy outreach to promote disability rights around the world. Several US government officials, including Jameson Debose, the cultural attaché at the embassy, joined volunteers from Pakistan and the US Alumni Network to participate in friendly matches with basketball, football, badminton and table tennis teams from Special Olympics Pakistan to prepare the athletes for the mega competition.
Debose told The Express Tribune that he is absolutely delighted to see the young athletes play with absolute confidence. “They are not hesitating at all and are extremely competitive even though we have just met them. This is the aim of this session to build their confidence and train them well for the real ground,” said Debose.
A record 85-member Pakistan contingent will participate in the Special Olympics World Games, the world’s largest sporting event that showcases skills and accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities. Participants will compete in various events including badminton, cycling, football, power lifting, tennis, table tennis an aquatics.
Faiza Mehmud, an alumnus of a US exchange programme, said she is absolutely delighted to be part of the orientation session. “Having experienced something similar, I am extremely excited for these young people who are going to be a part of something so phenomenal,” said Mehmud.
National Sports Director Arshad Javaid explained that “55 athletes are going from all over Pakistan to participate in nine disciplines. These athletes have been training for a year at school, city, regional and national level games and we have high expectations from them.” He added that winning wasn’t everything and that in the Special Olympics everyone is a winner.”
Angela Aggeler, counselor for public affairs at the US Embassy, who concluded the event with a speech, told The Express Tribune that more than the game, she is enthusiastic about the youth representing Pakistan in the US. “We could not have sent better Pakistani representatives and this is a fantastic exchange particularly since this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a ground breaking civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with intellectual disabilities in all areas of public life,” she said.
She added that while serving as ambassadors of Pakistani culture and society, the Special Olympics delegation would gain first hand knowledge of how the ADA has transformed American culture and society.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2015.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ