Minister Priya Manickchand takes the salute at the march past.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport held its first Paralympics championship yesterday at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.

Minister of Human Services & Social Security, Priya Manickchand, acting in the capacity of Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, stated that this was a wonderful opportunity for differentially-able persons in society to come together, celebrate and share with each other, simultaneously sharpening each other’s talents.

Minister Manickchand said that the Culture Ministry intends to make the Paralympics championship an annual event and that for the next few years, the Ministry will monitor athletes and prepare them to represent Guyana at the 2012 Paralympics Games in London.

She said this initiative is a part of Government’s assurance that an equal and conducive environment is created for the physically-challenged.

The Minister also stated that the Ministry of Human Services & Social Security has established a Disabilities Bill which will be laid in parliament. The content of this Bill will provide for the physically challenged to have an easier life.

She added that last March, her Ministry began collecting data from persons with disabilities to establish a register which would make it easier for Government to provide for all of the differentially able.

She expressed her disappointment that less than 2,000 persons were registered. Minister Manickchand implored the gathering to register themselves so Government could make decisions based on accurate information. To this end, from November, registration forms will be available at all National Democratic Councils (NDCs), Post and Regional Offices.

The Minister urged the disabled to be responsible and register to help Government plan properly.

Yesterday’s events included a March Past, swimming, track and field and table tennis events.

Participating teams organisations came from Linden, Essequibo, East and West Banks of Demerara, and Central Georgetown.

In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised a sports competition involving World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries in Stoke, Mandeville, England. Four years later, competitors from the Netherlands joined the games and an international movement was born.

Olympic style games for athletes with a disability were organised for the first time in Rome in 1960, now called Paralympics. (GINA)