Press Release from RIBI

November 2002

300 ATHLETES ENJOY 21st ROTARY DISABLED SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS

More than 300 disabled athletes competed in the 21st Rotary Disabled Sports Championships held at the Midlands Sports Centre, Coventry on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November.

The winning team was the North West team, an emotional win as their team leader had died a few months ago. Second place was taken by the Manchester team and the South West Team came third. The athletes competed in twelve sports events ranging from archery, basketball, darts and table tennis to swimming and weightlifting.

The aim of the Championships is to promote team spirit and it is a condition of entry that each team has one boy or girl under the age of 18 years old. This was designed deliberately to encourage Disabled Sporting Clubs to encourage young athletes.The youngest athlete who performed this year is just nine years old and the oldest is 67.

The Championships are organized by five Rotary Clubs in Coventry and they are supported by other Rotary Clubs from many other areas. The Coventry Clubs raise £12,000 through donations and sponsorship to put the event on.

President Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland Tony de St Dalmas who presented the prizes to the winning teams said 'Rotary is proud to be associated with this event which gives wonderful athletes the opportunity to take part in competitive sports, at the same time engendering team spirit. The goal of every athlete is to pit their prowess against others to establish who is the best. But the essential point of these sports is also the ability to take part at this level. I congratulate the organizers on attaining the 21st anniversary of the Rotary Disabled Sports. What a wonderful achievement and example of dedicated service to the community this is.'

During the coming year the organizers will aim to increase awareness of the Championships amongst those involved with Sport for the Disabled and are interested in talking to potential sponsors.

PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Issued on behalf of Peter Offer Rotary Club of Coventry Jubilee Telephone 024 7671 3334 or 024 7641 7695

Notes for editors:
1. Athletes represented in the Championships were from Accrington, Avon, Coventry, Exhall, Gloucestershire, Hucknall, Manchester, Northampton, North West, Rugby, South West, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Wakefield.

2. Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman (Tel: 01789 765411)

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