JANUARY 2006

Donegal support needed for 2006 Special Olympic Games

With the first national games set for Belfast, local T.D. Cecilia Keaveney has urged Donegal Volunteers to offer their support. Further to the success of the Special Olympics hosted in Ireland it has been decided that national games will be held the year before every international competition.

"Belfast will be the first host of the new national games that will lead to the selection of the national team for the Special Olympics in Beijing. I believe that this is a huge opportunity for people to become exposed to competition at a senior level and give them a sense of what the real event is all about." said Deputy Keaveney speaking after the launch of the 2006 Games, Chair of the Arts, Sports and Tourism Oireachtas Committee,

Deputy Keaveney said it will take a huge amount of volunteering effort to deliver these games but said she was confident that the success of Ireland's Special Olympics and the experience that 35,000 volunteers had, will mean that the 5,500 people needed for Belfast will be achieved. "Of course there will be many opportunities to provide help both directly and indirectly through the provision of food and drink etc. I am calling on everyone to offer the support and not to presume that others will offer their services. I believe that Donegal volunteers can have a role in this event. The organisers have promised an experience that will never be forgotten and I am confident that this will be the case." Said Deputy Keaveney.

Two thousand athletes will take place in the games from 21st to 25th June 2006 in Belfast across 11 competition venues. For further information on applying to become a volunteer, contact 028 9089 9080 or
www.2006games-belfast.com

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