Marikina hosts special athletes national games

MANILA, Philippines - To show the city’s support to athletes with disabilities, the city of Marikina will be hosting the upcoming PhilSPADA National Games Feb. 3-6 at the Marikina Sports Park.

The national sports association for the Differently Abled (PhilSPADA) National Games is a tournament that consists of athletes with disabilities vying in various sports.

According to PhilSPADA president Michael Barredo, the tournament aims to give them a chance to compete in tournaments like pro athletes.

“We are giving them the opportunity to show their skills as well as to prove that they can also excel in their chosen sports,” said Mayor Del De Guzman during the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

“We want to invite everyone to watch the PhilSPADA National Games not just to support the athletes but also to encourage families with disabled children to let them compete in sports,” he added.

Events on tap are the different kinds of target, water, and ball sports like wheelchair basketball and volleyball among others.

The PhilSPADA National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines (PhilSPADA-NPC) is a national sports association for people with disabilities tasked to spearhead all activities related to sports and physical fitness of Filipino persons with disability.

The event is organized by the PhilSPADA-NPC with support from the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.