The Vanuatu Special Olympic Team’s preparation for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi has been boosted with the announcement of the 1,100,000vt (US$10,000) cash sponsorship from Digicel Vanuatu today.
Digicel Vanuatu CEO Ben Kealy said: “This is an on‑going partnership which stretches back years to support Special Olympics not only in Vanuatu but across the Pacific in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Nauru. It is an honour for me personally and for Digicel Vanuatu to see first-hand the hard work, dedication, determination and the qualities which make these athletes inspirational role models and ambassadors for Vanuatu.”
Special Olympics Team Vanuatu will send a travelling party of 9 to the world meet with 4 athletes competing with support from 5 volunteers of managers and support staff.
Mr. Kealy went onto say, “That Special Olympics is very close to our Chairman Mr. Denis O’Brien’s heart and we are extremely happy for the opportunity by Team Vanuatu to partner with them in their quest for medals in Abu Dhabi.”
Team Vanuatu will be joining over 7,000 athletes from more than 170 countries at the world games, which will run for a week from March 14‑21.
Special Olympics Vanuatu representative Ms. Marie Jonah expressed her appreciation at the huge support from Digicel Vanuatu in supporting the Vanuatu Team to the World Games in Abu Dhabi. “This year Team Vanuatu will take a team of 4, competing in athletics – 100 meters and the Javelin.”
They will leave for Abu Dhabi in the first week of March.