OVER 800 ATHLETES SET TO COMPETE IN THE 2025 SPECIAL OLYMPICS NATIONAL GAMES
The Special Olympics National Games officially open with the passing of the Olympic torch to Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Phillip Watts on 10th May at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – MAY 16, 2025 – The 2025 Special Olympics National Games officially kicked off with the Bocce competition on May 10th, setting the stage for a month-long display of talent by athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Over 800 athletes, supported by 200 coaches, 350 volunteers, and representatives from 20 schools and institutions, will take part in the Games, which run through June 14. As the major sponsor of the Special Olympics National Games, the Digicel Foundation contributed TT$100,000 and coordinated the active involvement of staff volunteers and digital partners such as RSC and TechFlex Ltd.
Over 100 athletes participated in the Special Olympics Bocce Games on 10th May at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
Central to the Digicel Foundation’s presence at the Games is the launch of its Safer Internet Together (SIT) Campaign, an initiative offering interactive tech sessions for athletes and their families during the Games. Topics include online safety, anti-cyberbullying, responsible device use, and accessibility tools for neurodiverse users, to ensure safe digital engagement.
Fierce or friendly competition? Athletes shake hands after facing off in Bocce at the Special Olympics National Games on 10th May at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium.
At the Opening Ceremony, Pieter Verkade, CEO of Digicel Trinidad and Tobago, and La Toya Gopaul, Board Director of the Digicel Foundation, both emphasised the importance of sport and technology in building a more accessible future, and proudly reaffirmed the company’s long-standing commitment to the empowering persons with disabilities The Games also received strong support from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Phillip Watts, and Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Vandana Mohit (centre), join Digicel Trinidad and Tobago CEO Pieter Verkade and Digicel Foundation Director LaToya Gopaul (fourth and third from right) for a photo with Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago Chairman David Benjamin, along with athletes and coaches, at the opening of the Special Olympics National Games held at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium on May 10th.
The Digicel Foundation celebrates the courage and determination of every athlete and looks forward to supporting the Games in the weeks to come.
Showing support from the sidelines at the Special Olympics National Games which run until June 14th.
ENDS
About Digicel
As a Digital Operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that’s every minute, all day, every day.
Through its world-class LTE and fibre networks, together with its suite of eight apps spanning sports (SportsMax), music (D’Music), news (Loop), local radio and podcasts (GoLoud), TV streaming, (PlayGo) enhanced messaging and marketplaces (BiP), cloud storage (Billo) and self-care (MyDigicel app), Digicel is the only operator in its markets that can deliver the complete digital experience.
Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific with investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to communities in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, and Trinidad & Tobago, the Digicel Foundation has contributed to positive outcomes for over three million people to date.
With its Better Together brand, Digicel is promising “simply more” to its customers and communities as the company’s 7,000 employees worldwide work together to make this pledge a powerful reality day in, day out.
For more visit www.digicelgroup.com