Special Cebuano booters leave for Indonesia tourney today
A GROUP of special Cebuano booters will be travelling to Indonesia today, hoping to inspire those who have intellectual disabilities.
Five Mandauehanons, headed by coach Rey Seno, look to prove a point when they compete in the 4th Southeast Asia 5-Aside Unified Football Tournament in Semarang, Java, Indonesia.
The team’s players are Kent Digor, Johnrey Muñez, Arrel Pascual, James Perez and Ian San Sayson.
The team is a product of the Special Olympics Philippines’ program last year, wherein a series of training programs for the Indonesia tournament was held, according to Seno.
“We will compete there to prove everyone that despite their disabilities they can still play and compete like good football players at the same time give inspiration to others,” Seno said.
“Intellectual disability is the below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. Just like any other average person, they deserve a chance to play football.”
The team encountered financial problems early on until the Mandaue City government decided to take care of their needs for Indonesia.
Leylam Football Club head coach Oliver Colina also helped as he trained the team for months.
Seno said that one of the challenges they faced was the selection of players because most of those with intellectual disabilities in Mandaue City have no experience about football.
“We had to start from scratch.” Seno said. “We also have to instill the idea of empowerment through sports, in that way we were able to inspire them and motivate them to train. We have to stir their dedication and sense of responsibility through football. The next challenge for us was to secure funds for the equipment and the facility for training.”
The team, which will be looking to help the country qualify for the Special Olympics, has three reserves: Harris Segovia, Danniel Szwast and John Caryl Ybañez.
Teams participating are Singapore, host Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.
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