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Deaf community hosts annual sports day - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Saturday | December 3, 2011
JAMAICA'S DEAF athletes from all walks of life converged on the grounds of Manchester High School last Saturday to participate in the second annual National Sports Day organised by the non-profit group, Deaf Sports Jamaica (DSJ) and its many partners.
High energy levels and a drive to be the best so as to perhaps take home one of the many coveted medals or trophies that were up for grabs was the hallmark of the day.
There was much sweat, as well as some tears, along the way. Overall, however, for all the events that were staged, including netball, basketball, six-a-side football, athletics, and recreational table tennis, competition was fair, clean, and fun-filled.
The day commenced with the arrival of the over 350 participants drawn mainly from Kingston, Brown's Town, May Pen, and Mandeville.
Springboard for athletes
Speaking at the opening ceremony, DSJ president Kevin McDonald encouraged the audience to enjoy the day, and athletes to do their best.
"DSJ is happy to once again be able to organise and host this activity which, we hope, will serve as a springboard to carry our athletes on to the international stage. This sports day will help us to identify the best talent from whom we can make a selection for training in preparation for the World Deaf Championships to be held in Canada in the summer of 2012," he said.
Following McDonald's exhortation, a special message from Minister of State for Labour and Social Security Andrew Gallimore was read.
In the message, Gallimore stated his belief that once the Jamaican deaf community could have regular sporting events such as the national sports day, then in a short time, the country should be able to establish its presence on the international scene.
committed to partnership
He noted that the Government, from the level of the prime minister, was committed to working in partnership so as to provide access and equity, as well as make available more opportunities for the disabled of the society.
Mention was made of the need for the passage of the Disability Bill, currently under review, which would seek to protect the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities.
Guest speaker, and the major sponsor of medals and trophies at the event, Danville Walker, the Jamaica Labour Party candidate for Manchester Central, stated that many able-bodied people could learn a lot from people with disabilities.
"It is my pleasure to be here today to wish you well in your endeavours on your sports day as it is my view that all of you are already champions because of the effort you are making to compete and not give in to the fact that you may have a disability," he said.
Walker said that unfortunately, there were far too many able-bodied Jamaicans in the society who would not make the effort to try and succeed either in sports or in other areas of their lives.
"I think that this gathering of the deaf here today serves as an inspiration to all of us because your action demonstrates that regardless of circumstances, we should put our shoulder to the wheel in the face of adversity and persevere, knowing that success is at the end of the road. So I salute you and promise to work hard to be a voice for your cause," he said.
DSJ, as well as the wider deaf community, is currently seeking to raise the profile of its members as it relates to communication access for the local population.
right to be seen and heard
One area that is currently under discussion and which has found favour with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other Cabinet ministers is that relating to televised broadcast of national events using an interpreter, as the deaf have an important part to play in national development, and by international convention, have a right to be seen and heard.
Holness recently communicated to DSJ his intention to fast-track the policies that would lead to greater empowerment and voice in this connection.
During the course of the day, the participants and teams competed for 500 medals as well as eight trophies.
Among the main sponsors of the event are Manchester High School, Juici Patties, Opticare Limited, CCCD, Jamaica Association for the Deaf, the Jamaica Disabilities Association, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
DSJ is a non-profit organisation which focuses mainly on promoting sporting activities within the schools for the deaf and also the wider Jamaican deaf community. Established by a group of deaf persons in the summer of 2010, the overarching aim of the organisation is to encourage improved social integration of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and to prevent and/or reduce incidents of violence and crime.
JAMAICA'S DEAF athletes from all walks of life converged on the grounds of Manchester High School last Saturday to participate in the second annual National Sports Day organised by the non-profit group, Deaf Sports Jamaica (DSJ) and its many partners.
High energy levels and a drive to be the best so as to perhaps take home one of the many coveted medals or trophies that were up for grabs was the hallmark of the day.
There was much sweat, as well as some tears, along the way. Overall, however, for all the events that were staged, including netball, basketball, six-a-side football, athletics, and recreational table tennis, competition was fair, clean, and fun-filled.
The day commenced with the arrival of the over 350 participants drawn mainly from Kingston, Brown's Town, May Pen, and Mandeville.
Springboard for athletes
Speaking at the opening ceremony, DSJ president Kevin McDonald encouraged the audience to enjoy the day, and athletes to do their best.
"DSJ is happy to once again be able to organise and host this activity which, we hope, will serve as a springboard to carry our athletes on to the international stage. This sports day will help us to identify the best talent from whom we can make a selection for training in preparation for the World Deaf Championships to be held in Canada in the summer of 2012," he said.
Following McDonald's exhortation, a special message from Minister of State for Labour and Social Security Andrew Gallimore was read.
In the message, Gallimore stated his belief that once the Jamaican deaf community could have regular sporting events such as the national sports day, then in a short time, the country should be able to establish its presence on the international scene.
committed to partnership
He noted that the Government, from the level of the prime minister, was committed to working in partnership so as to provide access and equity, as well as make available more opportunities for the disabled of the society.
Mention was made of the need for the passage of the Disability Bill, currently under review, which would seek to protect the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities.
Guest speaker, and the major sponsor of medals and trophies at the event, Danville Walker, the Jamaica Labour Party candidate for Manchester Central, stated that many able-bodied people could learn a lot from people with disabilities.
"It is my pleasure to be here today to wish you well in your endeavours on your sports day as it is my view that all of you are already champions because of the effort you are making to compete and not give in to the fact that you may have a disability," he said.
Walker said that unfortunately, there were far too many able-bodied Jamaicans in the society who would not make the effort to try and succeed either in sports or in other areas of their lives.
"I think that this gathering of the deaf here today serves as an inspiration to all of us because your action demonstrates that regardless of circumstances, we should put our shoulder to the wheel in the face of adversity and persevere, knowing that success is at the end of the road. So I salute you and promise to work hard to be a voice for your cause," he said.
DSJ, as well as the wider deaf community, is currently seeking to raise the profile of its members as it relates to communication access for the local population.
right to be seen and heard
One area that is currently under discussion and which has found favour with Prime Minister Andrew Holness and other Cabinet ministers is that relating to televised broadcast of national events using an interpreter, as the deaf have an important part to play in national development, and by international convention, have a right to be seen and heard.
Holness recently communicated to DSJ his intention to fast-track the policies that would lead to greater empowerment and voice in this connection.
During the course of the day, the participants and teams competed for 500 medals as well as eight trophies.
Among the main sponsors of the event are Manchester High School, Juici Patties, Opticare Limited, CCCD, Jamaica Association for the Deaf, the Jamaica Disabilities Association, the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
DSJ is a non-profit organisation which focuses mainly on promoting sporting activities within the schools for the deaf and also the wider Jamaican deaf community. Established by a group of deaf persons in the summer of 2010, the overarching aim of the organisation is to encourage improved social integration of deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and to prevent and/or reduce incidents of violence and crime.