School for disabled has day of sport

Creative Centre students proved yesterday that although they have some disabilities, they are differently able.

The adult students from the registered school gathered at the Sinai Hall for a morning of sports with Athletics Cook Islands president Ina Marsters.

The fun sports morning was part of the athletics day community activities which have been running since the day was officially commemorated on May 11.

Before the fun and games, Marsters told the Creative Centre students that athletics was one of a number of codes that host special games for the disabled such as the Paralympics held immediately after the Olympics.

She added that Athletics Cook Islands was in the process of organising a bigger disability athletics competition at the Manea Games in Mangaia later this year.

With that news generating excitement among the students, it was time to show their skills in various activities set up by Marsters.

The students zigzagged around an obstacle course of cones, hurdles and ropes before putting their hand-eye coordination to the test at the mini shot-putt course set up in the Sinai Hall.

The shot-putt challenge was by far the most popular activity of the morning especially as the task of throwing a ball (shot-putt) into a basket was made more challenging by moving the basket further away from the athlete.

Creative Centre manager Bob Kimiangatau says that the mornings activity ties in with the centres theme of differently able and was thrilled with the news that some of the students could be invited to take part in the Manea Games disability athletics event.

We would really like to thank CISNOC and Ina Marsters for a wonderful initiative and for trying to get us involved with the Manea Games, says Kimiangatau.

He said the Creative Centre is the only disability service provider on Rarotonga.

He invites families on the island who have loved ones with disabilities to come along to the registered school and find out how the adult learning centre can help.

Contact the Creative Centre on 20081 to find out what they offer for adults with disabilities.