A STUNNING display of skill and team play earned Alma Parris School honours in the senior division of the recently concluded Special Olympics Barbados National Games Football Tournament.
Razzaq Goddard, a member of the silver medal winning Barbados team at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, scored six goals in the competition to lead his team to another championship.
Second place went to newcomers Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre, behind a five-goal performance by Davio Harding, who was named Most Outstanding Senior Player.
Third place went to the Learning Centre, thanks in part to the high-scoring Ajani Blackman, who racked up six goals in the tournament. Blackman was also a member of the Barbados team two years ago.
In the junior division, there was another repeat champion as Ellerton Primary Annex took top honours. Second place went to the Erdiston Special School, but not without some strong opposition from the third-placed Charles F. Broome Special Unit.
Jabari Reid of Charles F. Broome, who scored five goals, was named Most Outstanding Junior Player.
Special Olympics footballers will continue their training when they face each other again on October 6 for the second tournament of the year.
The Special Olympics National Games schedule is well under way with the track and field preliminary meet set for March 3 at the Desmond Haynes Oval in Black Rock and the track and field finals, the biggest event on the local Special Olympics calendar, on March 24, also at the same venue.
Special athletes will also participate in National Games throughout the year, with competition in bocce, the bowling game of Roman and African origin, planned for April 9.
The attention turns to cricket on May 19 at Blenheim. On June 9, swimmers will make a big splash at the Aquatic Centre. (PR)
