Special Olympians bid for All-Ireland glory

Peter and Willie O’Kane, brothers, are to compete in the All-Ireland Special Olympics between June 12 and 15 as they bid to qualify to represent Ireland in the World Special Olympics in Los Angeles, USA in July next year.

Peter O’Kane is bidding to qualify in both the 50m sprint and the turbo javelin throw whilst brother Peter is competing to qualify in the softball throw event.

A fundraising darts event is to be held in their honour at the Crown Bar on April 26 with all proceeds going to assist the pair of athletes in their bid for All-Ireland glory in Limerick.

Sister-in-law Jacqueline O’Kane explained: “They have been selected to represent Ulster in the National Games, to be held in Limerick. If they perform well in the National Games there is the possibility that they might be able to compete in the World Special Olympics in LA, which would be brilliant for the both of them.

“The money that is being raised is going to help them get to the event in Limerick. Each of the athletes that re going have to come up with £360 to cover the training, uniforms, their accommodation, transport, food and everything else. Anything after that would be for any spending money they need.

“It is also subidised by Special Olympics Ulster so really the £360 pays for an awful lot when you think that they’re getting all that.”

Jacqueline is heavily involved with teh Roe Valley Special Olympics organisation. She said: “We have been up and running since March 2011 although we had our first training in June 2010 but after that it was about getting it all set up.

“It has worked really well for us and people in Limavady have shown us great support and I would ask people to keep that up for us. I think we came in at just the right time, at the start of the cycle around the World Special Olympics, so I think that is why we have been able to progress so far in such a short time.”

Other budding Special Olympians are always welcome at the Roe Valley club, Jacqueline added. She said: “We’re open to athletes from the ages of eight upwards with intellectual disablities and we train at Limavady High School every Wednesday evening from 7.15pm to 8.30pm. If anyone wants to get in touch they should be able to find us on facebook.

“For the two athletes going to Limerick, it’s only about seven or eight weeks away now. The training has been going very well so far. They meet up in Antrim every month with the Ulster team but they do training with us between times as well. They’ve been working very hard.”

The Crown Bar fundraiser in aid of the two athletes bid for glory is to take place on April 26, 2014. Registration costs £3. A raffle will also be held on the day.

Jacqueline O’Kane said: “I really hope we get as many people down as possible because I am sure it is going to be great fun and the money is going to a great cause.”