Ten pin bowling athletes head to Los Angeles

Special Olympics South Africa hosted their esteemed Ten Pin Bowling National Games at Northcliff Let’s Go Bowling Centre on 16 August.

The national games saw athlete Cathy Drew winning a trip to Los Angeles for the 2015 Special Olympic Games. Drew will be accompanied by her unified partner Mariska Viljoen and sports coach Karin Preston.

During the games, a person with intellectual disability and a partner without disability participated together with a coach. The main drive of the initiative was to create awareness and educate the public about people with intellectual disabilities.

“I am happy that I am going to Los Angeles, It is an overwhelming experience,” said Drew.

President of Ten Pin Bowling South Africa Vaughn Williams informed that in Special Olympics everyone is a winner.

“Each player receives medals and trophies – The main emphasis is to promote sportsmanship and ensure that our athletes enjoy themselves,” explained Williams.

“I was thrilled about the enthusiasm of all the players, it was a humbling experience – we gave everyone who was here the recognition – it was a fun day.”

Excited about the impending trip to Los Angeles, Preston informed that, “I think this is a calling and I become very emotional just by thinking about going to Los Angeles next year.

Viljoen also expressed her joy, “I am so overwhelmed about this, I can’t even describe the feeling.”

Williams advised that the players should always play to have fun. ” When they go to Los Angeles next year to represent the country, they should aim to have fun and also make friends – winning should come secondary to them.”

Special Olympics is an international non-profit organisation providing sports training and athletics competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Details: Vaughn Williams 082 899 5100