Jimmy Carr recently made the following joke: “Say what you like about servicemen amputees from Iraq and Afghanistan, but we’re going to have a ——- good Paralympic team in 2012.”

The VOPs (vicariously offended persons) soon denounced Carr, in contrast to the majority view of troops as expressed on their own websites, such as the Army Rumour Service.

As Carr’s comment did not criticise or ridicule the servicemen, the objectors must believe that the subject cannot be the basis of humour and that logically any similarly sensitive subject must also be off limits.

What should outrage people, and what really offends servicemen, is the real scandal of under-equipping and over-committing of our armed forces; and the fact that members of the public have complained about having to share swimming pools with amputees.

Politicians, keen to avert eyes from their own nefariousness, have also jumped on the bandwagon of outrage. We are now being told what we can and cannot find funny.

Actually, it is legitimate to see a compliment behind the joke – these men have the courage to overcome their handicap and are the sort of people who will strive to represent their country again, albeit in a different arena and one where at least they will know why they are there.

Unfortunately, as with their service careers, they will find that the attitude of some of the public and officialdom is patronising and occasionally hostile, on the basis that their disability is an unwelcome reminder of the real and brutal consequences of war.

Even though not deliberately so, too much coverage of disability sport is similarly condescending, with the focus being on the injury, its origins and effects, as opposed to the usual features of sport like form, fitness and technique.

Once the human-interest point has been made, all disabled athletes want or need is for their performances to be assessed and reported in the same way as their able-bodied counterparts. This means criticism when justified, and not some variation of ‘but they did well anyway considering all they’ve been through.’

This is the reason that the title Paralympics is meant to mean the ‘Parallel Olympics‘ rather than ‘Paraplegic Olympics’.

We need a shift in attitude towards disability sport. The BBC, with its public service remit, does far more than other broadcasters, but satellite TV provides very little coverage and then it is only tangential to able-bodied sport.

The argument is the same as with women’s sport and produces the same difficulty. It is not worth reporting because the standard is too low to be of interest. It will not get to the required standard without reporting to show its availability and to attract sponsorship.

For the time being, even if this is initially a sop, the media has to provide the platform to disability sport, as it would soon be rewarded. Disbelievers should watch the critically-acclaimed film Murderball, which is about paraplegic full-contact rugby. It is not for the faint-hearted, though that is because of the ferocity of the contact, not the individual stories of the participants.

Although this column has made the following point before, it is worth repeating; our support for and our attitude to the Paralympics in 2012 will go a long way to measuring our humanity and maturity, not just our financial support for disabled athletes.
Sourced via telegraph.co.uk

Foroyaa: Let us start by introducing yourself to our readers?

Colley: Well, my name is Mr. Sulayman Colley and the President of the Gambia National Para Olympic Committee.

Foroyaa: What does the committee which you are president of, do?

Colley: Well, Gambia National Para Olympic Committee is responsible for organizing sports competitions among the various categories of persons with disabilities.

‘Sports for persons with disability’ was introduced by the Swedes in this country back in 1980.

Initially, we started as a body responsible for organizing sports for only persons with physical disability. However, in 2007 after returning from a trip to Cairo, we were told to be inclusive to incorporate other categories of disabilities. It was argued that such an umbrella body would bear the flag of the country in Para Olympics which is held after the main Olympic.

Foroyaa: What are some of the goals and objectives of your committee?

Colley: Well, some of the goals include getting as many persons with disability off the streets as possible. By involving them in sport, we hope begging would be a thing of the past. Another goal is to improve the health condition of persons with disability. Sport is an instrument for better health, as exercise enhances physical fitness.

Psychologically, engaging persons with disability in sport helps them to grow in confidence. This in turn gives them a peace of mind which is so crucial and key to their meaningful contribution to society.

Above all, there some athletes with disability who have what it takes to become professionals. As such, opportunities should be given to such athletes with a view to realizing their full potentials.

Foroyaa: Has the Gambia ever been represented in the Para Olympic Sports?

Colley: As far as I know this country has never been represented in Para Olympic Games. This failure could be attributed to various reasons beyond our control. Lack of funding and equipments have been the major obstacles we have been facing. It is worth pointing out that in order to take part in the Para Olympic, one has to fulfill or meet the requirements. International Para Olympic Committee organizes competitions across the different venues in the world and those competitions serve as a stepping stone for athletes to make it to Para Olympic. Last year, we were given the opportunity to qualify for the Para Olympic by taking part in All Africa Games. However, this opportunity slipped through our fingers, because we could not get the funds to do so.

Our athletes had prepared for the All Africa Games only to be informed at the eleventh hour that there was no funding. That news came as a bolt from the blue, but there was nothing we could do except to accept the reality.

Foroyaa: Which sports do you engage your athletes in?

Colley: The sporting disciplines include wheel chair, tennis, basketball, sitting volleyball and athletics. All the aforesaid disciplines require equipments and materials which cannot be obtained in the absence of money.

Foroyaa: Have you got the supporting infrastructure for athletes with disability which can enable them realize their full potentials?

Colley: Well, as things stand, we are managing with what we have. This is even though what we have is not conducive enough.

Last year, we organized a sport competition which attracted participants from the countryside and Greater Banjul Area. That tournament turned out to be a success.

As part of July 22nd celebrations, we also organized a wheel chair basket ball’ tournament which attracted participants from both Gambia and Senegal. The KMC won that tournament. The ultimate triumph of KMC in that tournament is a clear testimony that our athletes can do it when they are given the opportunity. It is also a testimony to our credential in the international arena.

Foroyaa: What is your committee doing for athletes with disability who reside in the provinces?

Colley: We organized training for some coaches from the provinces who would in turn train athletes with disability in their various regions. This training for coaches was done with the objective of ultimately organizing an annual club championship.

We are hopeful that this club championship would get underway next year. Teams from different regions would be paired against one another in a knock out tournament.

Foroyaa: So far you talked about sports for persons with physical disability. What package do you have for those with visual impairment?

Colley: Well, the visually impaired have a galobal. It is just like a football and it has some materials inside it which makes a house thereby enabling persons with visual impairment to know the location of the ball through following the noise.

Foroyaa: Since the inception of Gambia National Para Olympic Committee, what would you say has been some of its achievements?

Colley: We gained international recognition as registered national institution as well as participate in such regional activities. Our ability to organize tournaments locally is also an achievement in itself.

Foroyaa: Apart from the problem of finance and equipment, which other obstacle do you face currently?

Colley: Our office at the stadium is being taken away from us. Basically, we do not have an office now. We are presently contemplating to look for an office in Serekunda West grounds with a view to be more efficient and effective.

Foroyaa: Apparently, there is hunger among your athletes to participate in the next Para Olympic Games. What is your committee doing to make sure that some of those athletes fulfill their childhood dream of participating in the Para Olympics?

Colley: We are doing our best to first ensure that our athletes qualify for the Para Olympic Games.

After ensuring qualification, we would also do whatever it takes to write to different donors with a view to get finding to take our athletes to the venue to the host city of Para Olympic Games.

Foroyaa: How many coaches did you train in order to look at athletes with disability?

Colley: we trained three coaches from each region.

Foroyaa: Do you know what the coaches you trained are up to?

Colley: As things stand, they are up to scouting new players.

Foroyaa: Who are the coaches you trained, are they persons with disability?

Colley: They are not persons with disability. They are in fact sports coordinators from their various regions.

Foroyaa: What do you think the future hold for athletes with disability?

Colley: As an optimist I would say the future looks bright. However it is worth saying that we still have a lot to do.
Sourced via allafrica.com

Nominations close on 30 September 2009.

Send your nominations to to us by filling out the form below. You may nominate up to 3 athletes per time.
[contact-form]

More than a thousand disabled athletes will converge in Bukit Jalil this weekend for the Asean Para Games KL ’09.

AS you read this, preparations are fully under way for a notable sporting event for the disabled which will kick off this weekend at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil, KL.

The Asean Para Games KL ’09, a five-day international event, will be participated by disabled sportsmen and sportswomen from Asean.

More than a thousand disabled athletes together with their able-bodied officials from as many as 11 nations will converge at Bukit Jalil. About 350 are from Malaysia.

This year’s competition – the fifth since 2001 – will be the second time that Malaysia is playing host. The first one was also held in the country.

The event which takes place once every two years features athletes with a variety of handicaps, including the blind, amputees and those with intellectual disabilities. Each of them will take part in almost a dozen sporting disciplines which include volleyball sitting, athletics, swimming and sailing.

However, none of the sporting events will be as exciting as wheelchair basketball, argues Chong Tuck Meng from Bentong, Pahang.

The forty-something Chong is manager of the basketball team. He is also a wheelchair-user which makes him the only disabled manager in the team.

“My job is to take care of my team of 12 wheelchair players who include amputees, people with spinal cord injuries and those born with a disability,” explains Chong.

“Though it is my duty to motivate them, I must admit I get lots of inspiration from my boys, aged between 20 and 35, who come from all over Malaysia,” says Chong who became paralysed from the neck down following an accident almost 30 years ago.

According to Chong, wheelchair basketball is one of the most skilful and professional sports in the games.

“Those who haven’t seen a match before will think that the competitors move more slowly than their able-bodied counterparts. But the reverse is true: wheelchair athletes move at lightning speed.

“They have to dribble the basketball and manoeuvre their wheelchairs at the same time, and pass the ball to their team-mates.”

There are times when they get knocked off their wheelchair and have to get up in an instant and get on with the game.

According to Chong, the net is placed at the same height as the game for the able-bodied, making it harder to score from a wheelchair level.

“The interaction with sportsmen from other countries is another high point for the participants,” says Chong. “The opportunity to meet other athletes and share experiences keeps everyone in high spirits and believing in what they can achieve despite their various handicaps.”

Chong has not been able to take part in any sporting events because of his severe disability.

“People with conditions like mine pose a challenge for those working in disability sports to try and come up with sporting disciplines that can include people with profound handicaps,” says Chong.

He concludes that he would like to see disability sport in Malaysia being regarded as a professional sport like in overseas countries where disabled athletes can make it their full time career and be paid for their outstanding contributions.
Sourced via thestar.com.

The Sports Diplomacy Programme of the United States of America has donated a consignment of sporting equipment to the Sports Wing of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled at the weekend to help the organization and development of disabled sports in the country.

The equipment is made up of modern hand bikes, racer bikes and custom made wheelchairs for basketball games with their components worth about 60,000 US dollars.

Mr Abdul-Aziz Mohammed, President of the Sports Wing of the Society who received the equipment said the donation followed the support programme of the Sports Diplomacy Unit’s effort to help organise the physically disabled to prepare and compete in sporting events.

He said the equipment will be used by the Society to organise regional sporting competitions to select the best talents to form national Men’s and Women’s teams to compete in international events.

Mr Mohammed said under the bilateral agreement, the Society was able to purchase modern hand bikes and racer bikes for the amputee cycling programme as well as custom made basketball wheelchairs equipment manufactured by Eagle Sports Chairs of Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The Society is also to organise training workshops and programmes both in Ghana and the USA for its members for the maintenance of the equipment.

Mr Mohammed thanked the Government and people of the United States for their kind gesture and generosity, saying the equipment will go a long way in boosting disability sports development in the country.

He added that the donation will go a long way in ensuring that the disabled prepare adequately towards international sporting competitions, since the hand bikes can also be used for road racing and amputee bicycle racing as well as ensure equipping regional training centres for the disabled.

Mr Mohammed appealed to corporate bodies to support Government in investing in disability sports so that their enthusiasm and talents in sporting events can be beneficial and stop them from begging on the streets and idling about.

He advised the disabled to get actively involved in activities that are beneficial as well as engage in sports since sporting events have therapeutic benefits that will help reduce stress and other disabilities.

Mr Mohammed added that engaging in sports will also help the disabled to build on their confidence level and make them psychologically and physically independent for them to contribute towards the socio-economic development of the country.

He commended the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning for facilitating the clearance of the equipment and grateful to Eagle Sports Chairs as well as the MIS, AIT and ACS Shipping Lines for giving the Society a discount for bringing in the sporting equipment.
Sourced via news.myjoyonline.com

A Scottish wheelchair cyclist is set to begin an epic 4,000 mile journey across America to raise money for children’s charities.

Kenny Herriot will cross the continent on a specially-designed hand cycle, covering an average of 89 miles a day.

A Scottish wheelchair cyclist is set to begin an epic 4,000 mile journey across America to raise money for children’s charities.

Kenny Herriot will cross the continent on a specially-designed hand cycle, covering an average of 89 miles a day.

He will set off from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on Monday at 0900 local time (1700 BST) and aims to finish in New York on 7 June.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy said Mr Herriot’s effort was inspirational.

“Kenny is a well-known and inspirational figure among the sporting community and he has always given 100% dedication to helping charities and people who need support and help,” he said.

This challenging journey will push me to my limits as I cycle an average of 89 miles every day
Kenny Herriot

“This fundraising effort from the Pacific to Atlantic is a massive undertaking and will cover a range of challenging landscapes. Kenny’s target of cycling 4,000 miles in only 42 days will be an incredible feat.”

Mr Herriot hopes to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Northsound Radio’s Cash for Kids appeal, which distributes money to children’s groups and projects in north east Scotland, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an American childhood cancer charity.

Originally from Edinburgh, but now based in Aberdeen, Mr Herriot became disabled as the result of a motorbike accident in 2000. He has since competed in marathons across the world and broke the British record for the marathon in 2005.

Deserts and canyons

He said: “After my accident, I was determined to regain my fitness and not let my disability hold me back in life so I have pushed hard to get to where I am as one of the world’s top ranked wheelchair athletes.

“This challenging journey will push me to my limits as I cycle an average of 89 miles every day, but over the last seven years of racing I have been given fantastic opportunities and travelled the world, so now it’s my time to give something back.”

Accompanied by two friends, including his cousin John Snedden – who will drive his support vehicle – Mr Herriot will cross terrain ranging from deserts to steep hills and canyons.

Billed the Great Lemon Ride, the cycle will follow the Western Express Route to Pueblo, Colorado, before taking US Highway 50 to Washington DC and, finally, US Highway 1 to New York City.

Nevada, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania are among the states to be visited.

Mr Herriot’s previous fundraising efforts include a 1,000 mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Cash for Kids last year.

He will set off from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge on Monday at 0900 local time (1700 BST) and aims to finish in New York on 7 June.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy said Mr Herriot’s effort was inspirational.

“Kenny is a well-known and inspirational figure among the sporting community and he has always given 100% dedication to helping charities and people who need support and help,” he said.

“This fundraising effort from the Pacific to Atlantic is a massive undertaking and will cover a range of challenging landscapes. Kenny’s target of cycling 4,000 miles in only 42 days will be an incredible feat.”

Mr Herriot hopes to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Northsound Radio’s Cash for Kids appeal, which distributes money to children’s groups and projects in north east Scotland, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand, an American childhood cancer charity.

Originally from Edinburgh, but now based in Aberdeen, Mr Herriot became disabled as the result of a motorbike accident in 2000. He has since competed in marathons across the world and broke the British record for the marathon in 2005.

Deserts and canyons

He said: “After my accident, I was determined to regain my fitness and not let my disability hold me back in life so I have pushed hard to get to where I am as one of the world’s top ranked wheelchair athletes.

“This challenging journey will push me to my limits as I cycle an average of 89 miles every day, but over the last seven years of racing I have been given fantastic opportunities and travelled the world, so now it’s my time to give something back.”

Accompanied by two friends, including his cousin John Snedden – who will drive his support vehicle – Mr Herriot will cross terrain ranging from deserts to steep hills and canyons.

Billed the Great Lemon Ride, the cycle will follow the Western Express Route to Pueblo, Colorado, before taking US Highway 50 to Washington DC and, finally, US Highway 1 to New York City.

Nevada, Utah, Kansas, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania are among the states to be visited.

Mr Herriot’s previous fundraising efforts include a 1,000 mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of Cash for Kids last year.
Sourced via news.bbc.co.uk

Citizens have been given bid badges to show their support and will take part in Tokyo 2016 sports events and festivals during the inspection team’s April 16-19 visit.

“Next week is the most important week of my life,” Tokyo 2016 chairman Ichiro Kono said Friday. “But it’s not just about me or the Tokyo 2016 bid committee; we are enjoying fantastic domestic support in Tokyo and across Japan for our bid.”

With 34 million people, Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolitan area, but organizers say their bid offers the most compact games, with almost all venues located less than five miles from the main stadium.

Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, says 23 of its proposed 34 venues already exist and that land has been secured for the 11 new facilities.

Five of the new venues would be permanent, including the main Olympic stadium on the city’s central waterfront that would hold 100,000 spectators for track and field events and the opening and closing ceremonies.

Tokyo is also boasting the financial security of its bid amid the global economic downturn. The city of Tokyo has about a $66 billion annual budget and has already secured a $4 billion special budget in cash for the games.

The IOC will vote on the host city in Copenhagen on Oct. 2. Tokyo is competing with Chicago, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro.

Sourced via Associated Press(Google)

A CREWE academy will be represented at the British Gymnastics Sports Acrobatics Championships for a record 10th straight year.

Four gymnasts from the Cheshire Academy of Integrated Sport and Arts, Macon Way, have qualified for the event to be held in Stoke in May.

That notches a milestone which has never been achieved by any other disability club in Great Britain.

The quartet of Michael Taylor, Martin Tattersall, Vicky Perez and Omar Haddad qualified by winning gold at the regional games in Liverpool.

Coach Iain Chalmers said: “The pairing of Omar, who has Down’s syndrome, and Victoria, who is a wheelchair user, is quite unique as both gymnasts have disabilities. Usually one of a pair is a mainstream gymnast.

“But they collected gold because they both have tremendous ability.”

He added: “Michael and Martin’s technically perfect routine in their event achieved the highest technical score of the competition – beating every mainstream competitor.”

This year will be busy for the academy as a whole.

As well as qualifying for the national championships, Omar and Victoria have made it to the National Special Olympic Games to be held in Leicester in July.
Sourced via crewechronicle.co.uk

Organizers noted they are not allowed to contrast what competing bid cities Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid are doing, but stressed during a media briefing that they’re highlighting Chicago’s leadership in both areas.

IOC inspectors learned that the city dates its environmental efforts back a century to architect and planner Daniel Burnham, whose 1909 master plan called for an entirely open and accessible lakefront. Organizers then fast-forwarded to Mayor Richard Daley, who they called a longtime proponent of green construction, rooftop gardens and other environmental initiatives.

“Mayor Daley is proving that big cities around the world can truly exist in harmony with nature,” Suzanne Malec-McKenna, commissioner with the city’s Department of Environment told the briefing.

Chicago is the first stop on the IOC inspection tour and as organizers in other cities will certainly do, they pulled out the heaviest of heavy hitters to offer their support.

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, addressed the IOC team in person Monday, while Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared via video.

Jarrett promised that the White House would set up an office to provide support for the games and oversee a host of federal agencies, the first time the White House has done so before the final selection of a host city, organizers said.

Clinton said the government will make sure the customs and immigration process will be streamlined so athletes and other visitors will have no trouble getting to the games.

Organizers also touted Chicago’s numerous innovations. For example, the IOC learned about a plan for 100 percent of the games’ energy to come from renewable sources. And there were the proposed “energy generating floor tiles” that the bid’s literature touts as harnessing people’s steps into energy.

But organizers also acknowledged a lot of details haven’t been worked out.

“The renewable energy we would use has not been determined,” because the games are years away, said Robert Accarino, the bid’s director of environment.

Although it remains unknown exactly how IOC members are responding to Chicago’s presentation — members are not talking to the media until Tuesday and organizers have declined to discuss what questions they’re asking — Accarino gave one small hint about their possible concerns.

He suggested Chicago 2016 had to dispel misconceptions about the Chicago’s air quality that he said were based on outdated IOC research.

“We provided detailed information about the 10-year history of air quality and projections of air quality to 2016,” he said.

Chicago’s accessibility took center stage during a Paralympic Games presentation.

“Because of the commitment to accessibility features, there is very little that needs to be done to the city itself,” said Linda Mastandrea, Chicago 2016’s Director of Paralympic Sport and Accessibility.

Mastandrea said she told the IOC that the Paralympic Games budget is $188 million — double that of the Atlanta Games of 1996.

A much-discussed component of Chicago’s bid is that most of the events will be held within walking distance or a short drive of each other, the proposed Olympic Village and cultural destinations — but there is one notable exception.

Bicycle road racing would be held in Madison, Wis. and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle came to Chicago on Monday to tell IOC members that the route is “spectacular.” He said it’s also close to Chicago, and may soon be getting closer.

Doyle said he told the IOC team he is confident that part of the federal economic stimulus package will include funding for a high-speed rail system connecting Chicago to Milwaukee and Milwaukee to Madison.

“We would fully expect that by 2016 that people would be able to get on good modern passenger rail [system] moving at much higher speeds than we’re accustomed to in the United States,” Doyle said.

He said he expects a trip from Madison to Chicago would take only about two hours.

Sourced via espn.go.com