Albania to host Special Olympics

TIRANA, Oct. 23 – Some 330 athletes from all over Albania will participate in the Special Olympics Albania competing in several disciplines. The Special Olympics scheduled to be held from October 26 to 29 at the University of Tirana will bring together athletes with intellectual disabilities for the fifth year in a row. The 330 athletes participating in these games are from 9 regions of the country and will represent the 14 Olympic teams during the Albanian Special Olympic Games 2013, respectively they are from Berat, Durr쳬 Elbasan, Lezha, Kor衬 Pogradec, Shkodra, Tirana and Vlora, competing in 5 different disciplines including basketball, football, table tennis, bowling and running. These teams come from the rehabilitation centers and specialized schools dedicated to people with special needs.
The event is organized by Special Olympics Albania. The mission of Special Olympics Albania is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.