The children at the Redemptorist School for the Blind had
the opportunity to exert their sporting prowess when the school held its
annual sporting event in the grounds of the Naklua campus.
Rungsant
Boonma carried the torch and lit the flame to officially begin this
“Olympic-style” event.
Chonburi
District 6 MP Sansak Chawalitnittitham presided over the official opening
ceremonies.
Teams
of athletes prepare for their big day in the spotlight.
The annual sports day helps the children to develop their
skills in sports in spite of their physical handicap, and talented students
will compete in the international FESPIC games for the disabled.
The sports day opened with a small parade as the students
played music. After the parade, teams of children competed in a number of
sporting events, including go-ball, table tennis, swimming races, football,
volleyball, skipping and Judo. All the blind school’s students
participated throughout the day.
The Redemptorist School for the Blind was opened November
18, 1987 and was officially recognized as private charity education facility
four years later. This allowed them to accept donations directly from the
private sector.
Blind
students give a judo demonstration during the annual Redemptorist School for
the Blind sports day.
The
parade of athletes, young and old, kicked off this year’s annual
Redemptorist School for the Blind sports day.
The school accepts students from around Thailand from
3-20 years old regardless of gender, social background, religion or level of
disability and is the only place in the country that cares for blind
children who are intellectually disabled. Funding for the school relies
solely on donations from community and foundation support.
The annual sports day was introduced in 1993 to promote
better health and improve the quality of life among the students. The sport
of Judo has only recently been introduced into the program. It is now fully
supported by the director of education in Chonburi with local universities
providing the teachers and the equipment necessary to teach the subject.
The games were held on February 21. Sansak Chawalitnittitham, Chonburi
district 6 MP presided over the official opening. Attending honored guests
included government representatives, members of the community and the
school’s volunteers.
