Berlin World Games Special Olympics 2023: Beninese athletes selected

As a prelude to Benin's participation in the Berlin Special Olympics World Games 2023, Special Olympics Benin organized its national championships. It is the Charles de Gaulle stadium in Porto-Novo which served as the arena for the various events on Friday 26 August 2022.

It was with the parade of athletes followed by the lighting of the Olympic Torch and the raising of the flags of Benin and Special Olympics that the games were launched.. A hundred athletes from six communes in Benin, namely : Cotonou, Final, Akpro misserété, Porto-Novo, Sakété and Ita Djèbou participated in this competition. Four disciplines were on the program this year. Athletics, weightlifting, boccé and cycling were on the menu. At the finish, the best in each category received medals.. “The level has risen and performance has improved this year” pointed out Moustapha Yaya before adding “Abu Dhabi, in 2018, Benin won 02 gold medals and 03 in silver, Benin Olympics special director hopes for twenty medals in Berlin”.

To get there and make a good preparation, the president of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Benin asks for attention for the athletes. “If they have encouragement and support They will double the number of medals next year” hinted Jocelyne Da Silva. “The Minister of Sports in his desire to implement the PAG sports component, wants each of us to bring our own so that Special Olympics can achieve its goals. We must support the initiative. This is why the Minister of Sports has asked that we be present to follow everything closely in order to allow the Ministry to fully play its part.” and this Félicien Hounkanrin, Ouémé Departmental Director of Sports, representing his minister Oswald Homeky.

Beyond the game and the stake, seeing the children relax made more than one happy, as this guide says. “This is a good thing. We did not ask to have children like this. And when they came it was a little worry for us. This initiative is very good. It was wonderful to see them running. My daughter won two gold medals and one silver” confided the mother of Ronelle Fandohan.

The games also saw the presence of the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Benin. (Cnos-Ben). Where there is sport, the committee cannot be absent, said its secretary general before welcoming the initiative. “Special Olympics is doing extraordinary work and it deserves to be recognized and supported.. We are on the right track of the humanity of sport” a dit Fernando Hessou, Secretary General of Cnos-Ben. After the games, 17 best athletes are selected and will represent Benin at the Berlin games of 17 at 25 June 2023. The preparation plan will start next November. It should be noted that the organization has experienced the active participation of volunteers.

Damien TOLOMISSI

List of athletes qualified for the world games 2023

Athletics

1 Donald Adjovi (F)

2-Raymond Fatchinan (G)

 Bocce

1-Served Tebekou (F)

2-DAHANOU Doris (F)

2-Frederic Dekpon (G)

 Cycling

1-Benedict Haikou (F)

2- Candide Adjogbla (G)

 Weightlifting

1-Jacques Adannou (G)

2-Hungry Modest (F)

 Badminton

Still to come