Unique competitions in Goleniów. On wheelchairs and more

About 60 disabled participants from Goleniów, Nowogard, Gryfice, Szczecin and the surrounding area, as well as from Lower Silesia (!), took part in the "7th Sports Competition for Children and Disabled People in Wheelchairs and Not Only" at the stadium of the Sports and Recreation Centre in Goleniów.

The competition was supported by Ewa Durska – a former athlete specializing in shot put, a three-time Paralympic champion and a multiple world and European champion, and was officially opened by the mayor of Goleniów Krzysztof Sypień and vice-starosta Tomasz Kulinicz. The special guest was the writer Anna Wolf.

– This time we were in Goleniów instead of Nowogard. I could count on the great support of many people, including of course the mayor of Goleniów Krzysztof Sypien and the deputy mayor Tomasz Kulinicza – says Ewa Błaszczyk, the originator and organizer of the competition. – The competitions were adjusted to the participants, and their diversity corresponded to their abilities. The competitions included: throwing into the basket, throwing to the target, sprinting, an obstacle course and a floorball match for wheelchair users. For participants moving on their own, there was a football match, which aroused great emotions among both the audience and the players themselves. I would like to especially thank the Pogoń Szczecin Fans Association “Portowcy”, Kibice Razem and the Pogoń Szczecin and MKP Kotwica Kołobrzeg Fan Clubs, which rose to the challenge, creating an incredible, almost Olympic atmosphere.

Mrs. Ewa added that she plans to organize a charity tournament in Goleniów in September and a charity concert, which will precede the next edition of the St. Nicholas competition, scheduled for December 6. - It is worth adding that the Parkowa Fan Club is organizing a collection and auctions for the treatment of a boy named Wojtek, who is suffering from cancer. I encourage you to visit their Facebook page and read the details - said Ewa Błaszczyk.

– From the very beginning I have been taking part in the competition, which was initiated by my mother – revealed Jakub Wójcik, a competitor and Mrs. Ewa's son. – Thanks to her, we, the disabled, are particularly visible on this day. That is why, even though I study every day and stay in the boarding school at the Special Educational and Care Centre No. 1 for Children with Motor Disabilities named after M. Grzegorzewska in Police, I had to take part in the competition on this day and support my mother in the organization, together with my younger brother Krzyś, who also took part. My signature events are the wheelchair sprint and the basket shot. I took first place in the wheelchair sprint and won a magnificent cup. I am 19 years old, and when I started competing, I was about 12. The competition is still important to me.

The culmination of the competition was the presentation of diplomas, cups and gadgets from Pogoń Szczecin, emphasizing the importance of the event. The whole event was hosted by Jacek Rafiński, and the players were accompanied by the Kołobrzeg folk band "Grandma Dynamit". ©℗

Jarosław BZOWY