Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

More than just winning: Special O Kamloops hosts Basketball Regionals

Apr 15, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Special Olympics B.C. (SOBC) hosted its Regional Basketball Tournament last weekend in Kamloops. A total of five teams — two from Kamloops, two from Kelowna and one from Prince George — worked to qualify for the next level of the competition. However, it was not all about winning.

“We have lots of sportsmanship. That’s the key to basketball. It’s about playing as one. Coming in as a team and helping the young ones,” said Tyrine Flukinger, one of the athletes competing for Kamloops.

“We are here to play. Play and have fun and interact with other people with different disability,” added player Ionela Garrett.

SOBC has as its goal to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through sport — and the game is no different from any other competition.

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“Our athletes benefit from the same things that every other athlete gains from their sport. The competition, the skill development, the interaction with other athletes and other people,” explained Karl Debruijn, SOBC local coordinator. “We hope they take away today that spirit of competition and that spirit of participation with everybody else.”

Everyone was there to compete, but winning was not the ultimate goal.

“There’s always a competitive side to every sport, but we hope they all take away from something like this the feeling of camaraderie with their teammates, learning how to play as a team and how to play as a group together. And, you know, just have fun and enjoy the experience,” said Les Andrykew, the head coach for Kamloops Special Olympics Basketball.

The players couldn’t agree more.

“Even if you don’t win, just enjoy that. You have an opportunity to play against people with the same disability as you do,” said Garrett.

“Just have fun and don’t worry. Don’t even look at the scoreboard. Just have fun. Play your heart out,” added Flukinger.