Besides the ability to bring people together, irrespective of race or religion, sports can also bridge the gap between normal people and those with special needs.
Bearing this in mind, Rukun Tetangga Taman Wing Onn and the Perak Association for Intellectually Disabled jointly organised a telematch recently with the aim of strengthening ties within the community.
According to the Chairman of Rukun Tetangga Taman Wing Onn, Ong Sing Ming, the game was a show of support and a form of encouragement for those who were less fortunate.
“It’s important to create awareness among the community of these special needs people, so they can be accepted in society. Sports can also create a sense of solidarity among us, dispelling negative thoughts and feelings that we may have towards those with special needs,” said Ong in his welcoming remarks. Ong added that the activities will be improved and more programmes would be organised from time to time. “We’ll assist where possible,” he exclaimed.
A total of 130 students and attendees from four schools and Semangat Maju workshops in Perak took part in the telematch. The match involved students from Sekolah Semangat Maju Ipoh, Bengkel Perlindungan Semangat Maju Sitiawan, Bengkel Perlindungan Semangat Maju Taiping and Sekolah Semangat Maju Batu Gajah.
A total of ten games, each tailored according to the participants level of ability, were on the card. Supervisors were on hand to assist and guide the children during the games.
Local residents, who found some of the antics of the children amusing, did not fail to cheer them on. This helped to enliven the atmosphere further.
Gracing the one-day event, which was held at the playing field of Taman Wing Onn, Jalan Kuala Kangsar, were Zone 2 Assistant Unity Officer Thachayani a/p Ignaiusmuthu and Director of Bengkel-Bengkel Perlindungan Semangat Maju Perak, Alex Loh Peng Wee.
Luqman
