MACAU, November 12 -- An evening marking the 20th anniversary of the founding of Special Olympics Macau was staged on the fourth level the of Macau Sightseeing Tower, which was attended by over 200 people, including those from the Central Government Macau Liaison Office, the Macau Government, the Macau Legislation Council and many others. Also present at the ceremony were Ms. Anna Chan, Managing Director of the Special Olympics East Asia Office, and representatives from Special Olympics Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Korea who offered their congratulations.

Representatives from the SOEA office and other SO programs present gifts to SO Macau

The sucessful opening ceremony involved 20 VIPs, whom all appeared on the stage, to discuss the past 20 years of comprehensive services that Special Olympics Macau has provided to people with intellectual disabilities, including sports training events, healthy athletes programs, intellectually disabled youth summit programs and family support networks.

Group photo of distinguished guests present at the ceremony

Mr. Vong Iao Lek, president of the Macau Sports Development Board and Mr. Pun Chi Meng, President of Special Olympics Macau delivered congratulatory speeches, and a number of distinguished guests offered their toasts. Special Olympics athletes then performed a unified dragon dance and a health dance. Mr. Vong Iao Lek and Special Olympics Macau presented awards to the athletes who participated in the 12th Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai this past October.

Ms. Anna Chan, Managing Director of Special Olympics East Asia, as well as VIPs representing Special Olympics Hong Kong, Special Olympics Chinese Taipei and Special Olympics Korea presented gifts to Special Olympics Macau.

SO athletes perform at the ceremony

Established in 1987, Special Olympics Macau is a Non-Governmental Organization that provides services to people with intellectual disabilities of varying levels throughout Macau, such as year-round sport training events, competitions and recreational activities. Being an accredited program of Special Olympics International, Special Olympics Macau is affiliated with Special Olympics East Asia. The athletes from Macau have taken part in regional and national games in the United States, Europe and Hong Kong and have done very well. The activities organized by Special Olympics aim to promote physical and mental development of the intellectually disabled people, fortifying their self-confidence, so that they can better integrate into society and the prejudices against them will be eliminated.

Group photo of parent representatives present at the ceremony

　
Group photo of SO athletes present at the ceremony