One
teacher and one student carry in the flame to start the games.
Derek Franklin
The annual School for the Blind Sports Competition has
taken place over several days, culminating with the final races and matches
of all the competitions.
As with previous years the students were divided into two
teams, green and blue, and the days’ events started with a procession which
saw the students and teachers parading past all the invited local
dignitaries.
The
marching band led the athletes to the opening ceremony.
Pre-games entertainment was provided by the students,
including a routine which was the teenagers dancing with hula-hoops, the
newest craze here amongst youngsters in Thailand.
First race of the day was between two blind children who
have difficulty mobilizing, and they raced as fast as they possibly could on
their walking frames. This was then followed with two students racing each
other, but apart from being blind they are also deaf and dumb, and their
teacher communicated with them by making signs on their hands.
Other events included the skipping race and the running
relays, with several students running alone, but with teachers standing
around the running course and guiding the student by calling instructions on
which way to run. Other students who were not as confident were joined to
their teachers by a small piece of string tied to their wrist and they ran
together, but with the student leading the running and the teacher passing
instructions on when to turn left or run straight.
In the end it was the blue team who was victorious, and
they received their trophy from Woody Underwood of ‘Jesters Care for Kids’.
The Pattaya School for the Blind is managed by the Father
Ray Foundation. More information can be found at www.fr-ray.org or email
[email protected]
Woody
from ‘Jesters Care for Kids’ presented the winners trophy.
One
young boy races to the finish line.
Checking
out his gold medal.
With
only two teams the students could come either first or second,
unfortunately this young boy came second.
Blue
team cheerleaders.
As usual
the goalball competition was fiercely fought.
