The Special Olympics Papua New Guinea Team will bring home gold after completing their campaign at the Special Olympics Queensland States Games.
The team scooped the award in the 7-a-side football competition on Sunday (May 7).
They won all their matches in pool B, coming out on top.
Excited president of Special Olympics PNG, Takale Tuna, said it was the first time for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in a team sport and to come out on top in their pool, which is a great achievement in itself.
“Our football coaches have been working with this team for over 13 months to get the athletes to that level. For them to win a medal is testament and proves that they can be as good as any team if they are nurtured and given opportunities to display their skills and techniques,” Tuna stated.
Special Olympics PNG competed in two sports, athletics and football, of the 14 sports on offer. They won 8 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze in athletics in various events and 1x gold in the seven–a-side football.
Total medals won are 9 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.
“I would like to thank coach Willie Vaira and his assistant coaches, Andrew Ase, Margaret Nukinja and Ernestine Vinau for their commitment, dedication and great team work in achieving wonderful results.
“I also commend the team manageress Margaret Hou for her leadership and guidance to ensure the team was prepared and organised.
“It’s not easy managing a team as such, travelling on their own (most of them without their parents) for the first time on a plane to a foreign country.”
The president alse extends her gratitude to Digicel PNG Limited, PNG Sports Foundation, Venue Management Team, PNG Football Association, Air Niugini, Department of Education –Inclusive Education Unit, All special schools involved, Cheshire DisAbility Services, Callan Services - Gerehu and Red Cross – Hohola. All parents, guardians, families and supporters.
The team will return today (Tuesday 9th May) PX 004, arriving at 13.50pm.