Kadena Special Olympics kicks off Saturday

  • Published
  • By 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 11th Annual Kadena Special Olympics, a sporting event dedicated to enriching the lives of special needs individuals, is scheduled to kick off at Kadena's Risner Fitness Complex at 9:45 a.m. Nov. 6.

More than 850 athletes are expected to participate in a variety of events ranging from 200 and 300 meter races, tennis matches and floor hockey to soccer skills and ground golf. More than 700 special-needs artists from around Okinawa will host an art exhibit at the Risner Gym throughout the day.

The main events schedule is:

*Times may vary
0945 - Opening Ceremony at the Main Stadium Field
1100 - Lunch at the Tent Areas
1130 - 30m and 200m Dashes at the Risner Track
1200 - Wheelchair Softball Throw at the Four Diamonds
1230 - 50m and 100m Dashes at the Risner Track
1300 - Wheelchair Beanbag Drop at the Tennis Courts
1300 - Ground Golf at the Four Diamonds
1300 - Soccer Skills at the Four Diamonds
1300 - Softball Throw at the Four Diamonds
1300 - Frisbee Toss at the Four Diamonds
1300 - Basketball Skills at the Risner Basketball Courts
1330 - 400m Dash and 400m Relay at the Risner Track
1330 - Standing Long Jump at the Risner Track
1500 - Closing Ceremony at the Main Stadium

There will also be entertainment during the games to include Eisa dancing, Taiko drumming and Hawaiian Hula dancing. Former Japanese soccer player and FIFA star, Rui Ramos, will also be in attendance as well as two former 18th Wing commanders, Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, and Maj. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, PACAF director of operations, plans, requirements and programs.

Event organizers are expecting about 5,000 people to attend Saturday's festivities including 2,000 American volunteers and 400 local national interpreters, along with senior officials from the Government of Japan, Okinawa Prefectural Government, local communities and the U.S. military. Base residents are encouraged to attend the event and cheer on the athletes.

Kadena Special Olympics began in 2000 with approximately 400 athletes and 600 volunteers as an 18th Wing community goodwill initiative to strengthen U.S.-Okinawa relationships. Eleven years later, the event has grown exponentially to what it is today.

Base commuters should take note that there will be limited traffic flow in and around the Risner Fitness Complex Saturday.