The 19th Regional Ball Games event for Special Learners kicked off at the Gusii Stadium on Thursday under the slogan of ‘nurturing talents in learners with special needs in sports’.
The games kicked off with schools from Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties as participants comprising of four categories, visual, hearing, physical and mentally impaired.
The categories will be held at the following venues, Gianchere School- visually impaired, Kisii School- hearing impaired, Nyanchwa TTC- physically impaired and Kisii Special School- mentally impaired.
The Quality and Standard Assurance Officer Kisii County, Ms. Josephine Obinda, congratulated the learners for showcasing their talents, encouraging them to put out their best.
However, she advised the learners not to concentrate too much on co-curricular activities and forget academics.
Obinda stressed on the importance of the rules of the games, to prepare, and to adhere to the rules of the games.
She appealed to the teachers to observe honesty in terms of presenting participants, despite financial delays from the ministry which she said was a major challenge.
According to the Special Needs Education Chairman Nyanza region, Ambalo Rowlands, it’s a norm for the disabled children to have a match pass as a show of their abilities despite their disabilities and as a sign of good will to the sponsors.
“Much of what we do is for the aspect of awareness that in as much as we have impairment, we can do what others can, given the time.” He also stated that, the regional office had fully sponsored the event and paid the officials whereas the counties facilitated the transportation of the learners.
By Everlyne Bosibori/Ruth Masiko
