DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE
6
-
SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1976
OPENS HK SPECIAL OLYMPICS
******
SPORTS CAN HELP TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM, NOT ONLY IN THE MENTALLY RETARDED THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO IN THEIR PARENTS, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPICS HELD AT THE WONG CHUK HANG SPORTS GROUND THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
MR. LEE SAID : +MOST CHILDREN ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF FREE PLAY AND COMPETITION IN GAMES BUT THE MENTALLY RETARDED ARE OFTEN FOUND AS STANDERS-BY, WATCHING THE FUN AND ACTION WITHOUT PARTICIPATION.+
THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAMME, HE SAID, WAS FIRST DEVELOPED IN AMERICA TO GIVE THIS GROUP OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE AND TO CONTRIBUTE.
+IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO DEVELOP AND TEST THEIR STRENGTH AND CO-ORDINATION. IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION AND TEAM PLAY,+ HE ADDED.
MR. LEE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT IT WOULD SOON BE POSSIBLE FOR HONG KONG TO BE REPRESENTED IN AN INTERNATIONAL MEETING, LIKE OTHER COUNTRIES IN MONTREAL LATER THIS YEAR.
+
THE DIRECTOR WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WERE PROMOTING SPORTS AND GAMES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED.
+RECREATION AND SPORTS, GO HAND IN HAND WITH EDUCATION AND SOCIAL TRAINING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MENTALLY RETARDED CHILD,+ HE SAID.
EVENTS IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL OLYMPICS INCLUDED TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS, SOFTBALL THROW, OBSTACLE RACE, SPOON AND EGG RACE, AND THREE-LEGGED RACE.
MORE THAN 580 PEOPLE FROM 20 TRAINING CENTRES, SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS TOOK PART IN THE COMPETITION. THERE WERE SOME 700 SPECTATORS, INCLUDING PARENTS AND GUESTS.
17 .....
j
I