WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 2024: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – The Tobago leg of the Special Olympics T&T (SOTT) National Games 2024 were held on Thursday 16th May at the Dwight Yorke Stadium. Teams from the four special schools – Tobago School for the Deaf, Speech and Language Impaired, Happy Haven School, Tobago Technical Vocational School and Lady Hochy School Gasparillo – competed in Athletics, Bocce and Football throughout the day.

Continuing on its mission to promote inclusivity throughout Trinidad and Tobago, SOTT Chairman Major David Benjamin explained, “These games offer a platform for all the athletes, regardless of their ability levels, to participate in a national event.”

At the Tobago Games, Major Benjamin divulged news of a significant development in the SOTT’s partnership with the International Federation of Associated Football (FIFA), which will soon host a Coaching Development Workshop for the coaches from Tobago and other schools. “We are looking to build on that platform where we have a more inclusive approach to coaching football to the benefit of our Special Olympians,” shared Benjamin.

Principal of the Tobago School for the Deaf, Speech and Language Impaired, Cordella Pantin was enthusiastic about the value of the SOTT Games for the students, saying, “We are once again thankful to the Special Olympics team and the Digicel Foundation for providing an avenue for our children …this is something we look forward to as our children can excel at their own pace, and in the end reach their full potential.”

In addition to its pledge of annual funding to support the SOTT National Games, the Digicel Foundation is offering prizes and giveaways as incentives to drum up public support and attendance at the Games, which continue until Saturday 25 May. The #WeAreFans flag competition aims to encourage a larger turnout from schools with teams participating in the Games with a prize of $25,000 towards technology devices and one year of free broadband from Digicel+ up for grabs.

For the general public, groups of supporters that come out in large numbers have the chance to win a voucher for the whole group to dine at popular restaurants such as TGI Fridays and Pizza Hut. Other giveaways are being announced during the Games – from branded merchandise to Courts optical vouchers to Digicel top-ups. Follow the Digicel Foundation on social media @digicelfoundationtt for more information on how to support the 2024 SOTT National Games.