15th annual KSO scheduled for Nov. 8

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zade C. Vadnais
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 15th annual Kadena Special Olympics is scheduled to kick off at 9:45 a.m. Nov. 8 at the Risner Fitness Complex.

More than 930 special-needs athletes are expected to compete in a variety of events including 200 and 400 meter races, soccer skills and ground golf. There will also be an art exhibit held inside the Risner Fitness Complex showcasing art from close to 600 special-needs artists throughout the day.

Kadena residents should expect increased traffic in and around the Risner Fitness Complex for the duration of the event.

The main events schedule is:

9:45 a.m. - Opening Ceremony at the Main Stadium Field
11:00 a.m. - Lunch at the Tent Areas
11:30 a.m. - 30m/200m Dash at the Track
Noon - Wheelchair Softball Throw at the Tennis Court Area
12:30 p.m. - Wheelchair 50m Dash at the Tennis Court Area
12:30 p.m. - Tennis Skills at the Tennis Court
12:30 p.m. - Badminton (Individual Skills and Singles) at the Gymnasium
12:30 p.m. - 50m/100m Dash at the Risner Track
1 p.m. - Wheelchair Beanbag Drop at the Tennis Court Area
1 p.m. - Ground Golf at the Softball Field
1 p.m. - Soccer Skills at the Exercise Field (behind the gym)
1 p.m. - Softball Throw at the Softball Field
1 p.m. - Frisbee Toss at the Exercise Field (behind the gym)
1 p.m. - Basketball Skills at the O'Conner Gym
1:30 p.m. - 400m Dash/400m Relay at the Risner Track
1:30 p.m. - Standing Long Jump at the Risner Track
3:00 p.m. - Closing Ceremony at the Main Stadium Field

About 5,000 people are expected to attend KSO Game Day including more than 2,000 American volunteers and 500 local national interpreters, along with senior officials from the Okinawa Prefectural Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, local communities and the U.S. military. Base residents are encouraged to attend the event and cheer on the athletes.