LINGAYEN—Now on its 5th year as part of the annual Palarong Pambansa, the Special Games category continues to attract more participants from the Special Education (SPED) classes around the country.

In the just concluded 2012 Palaro held in Pangasinan, about 280 “special” athletes took part in the games that included athletics: 100m-dash, 200m-dash, 4x100m-relay, long jump, and shot put; and aquatics: 100m-freestyle, 100m-backstroke, and 100m-breaststroke.

There were also events for particular special conditions such as goal ball for the visually impaired and bocce for the visually impaired and mentally challenged.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro underscored the goal of the event “to show that no kids get left behind.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) introduced the Special Games in 2007 for children with special needs, including those who are mentally challenged, visually impaired, and hearing impaired.

Luistro said the increasing number of participants in the special games is a manifestation that more and more Filipino children with special needs are encouraged to show the world that their disabilities cannot stop them from excelling in the field of sports.— Leene Camo, UPB

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments