Digicel has announced their continued sponsorship of Special Olympics Samoa (SOSamoa), with a SAT$30,000 cheque.
The cheque was presented to SO Samoa Chairperson, Leta’a Daniel Devoe and Athlete Board Member, Thomas McFall by Digicel Pacific Hub CEO, Colin Stone.
Established in 2009, with accreditation from Special Olympics International, the strong support from Digicel Samoa as well as champions who believed in the movement, the team at SO Samoa has been able to grow in numbers of athletes, coaches and activities which have developed into year-round sports programmes of fun, physical fitness, inclusion and friendship.
Digicel Pacific Hub CEO, Colin Stone said “Special Olympics Samoa has always been very special to Digicel Samoa and we’ve seen it grow from strength to strength each year as it makes invaluable contributions to the lives of athletes and their families that goes well beyond sports. We’re extremely proud of the work that the team are doing to give visibility to people with intellectual disabilities.
We at Digicel promote an inclusive society and most importantly stand by to develop and provide opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to realize their potential and strive together for excellence and appreciation of all different abilities”.
The Special Olympics global mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. . This is a dream that has, and will continue to be, realized for athletes in Samoa. In 2015, 18 athletes travelled to Los Angeles, America to compete in the Special Olympics World Games. The Samoan contingent returned with 13 medals that year having competed against 177 other countries, a momentous achievement for all involved. And now, as the countdown begins to the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi, this continued partnership is a much welcomed reassurance of support to the team. Preparations have begun with the launch of the ‘Dance to the Same Beat’ initiative with fellow Digicel Ambassador, Lupesoliai Joseph Parker at Digicel’s All in One Carnival and plans are in place for a Torch Run and National Games in October this year.
Leta’a Daniel Devoe echoed sentiments from the organization’s website, “we’ve witnessed the power of the Special Olympics model. Everyone has a gift and everyone deserves the chance to be included, celebrated and accepted”, Leta’a added “we are, as always, extremely grateful to Digicel for its continuous support not only financially but emotionally too - they believe in us, in the athletes and in the movement. And that, is priceless”.
