SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEW YORK TO LAUNCH 50th ANNIVERSARY AT FIRST-EVER INCLUSION CUP SATURDAY
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019
400 Athletes & Coaches from Across NYS to Compete in Soccer and Softball
New York City, NY – Special Olympics New York President and CEO Stacey Hengsterman will launch a celebration of the statewide organization’s 50th anniversary and outline a vision for the future of the country’s largest Special Olympics chapter at Saturday’s first-ever Inclusion Cup at Randall’s Island Park in New York City.
Sponsored by the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates New York, the Inclusion Cup is a Unified Soccer tournament where teams are made up of athletes with and without intellectual disabilities. The Inclusion Cup will be held as part of the annual Special Olympics New York Fall Invitational, bringing nearly 400 athletes and coaches from throughout the state, including New York City and Long Island, to compete in softball and soccer.
Joining Hengsterman as speakers at Opening Ceremonies will be Victor Calise, Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and His Excellency Abdalla Shaheen, Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates New York.
Members of the media and public are invited and encouraged to attend, as follows:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19
Schedule: 9:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – 1 p.m. Competitions in Soccer & Softball
1 p.m. Medal Rounds, Softball
2 p.m. Medal Rounds, Soccer
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremonies
Location: Randall’s Island Park
20 Randall’s Island Park
New York, NY
Limited press parking is available at the Sunken Meadow Garden Fields. Media seeking parking and interviews with VIPs, athletes or coaches are asked to RSVP to Casey Vattimo at cvattimo@nyso.org.
“Special Olympics is leading an inclusion revolution here in New York and around the world,” said His Excellency Abdalla Shaheen, Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates New York. “The vision for Special Olympics New York’s future aligns well with the UAE’s efforts to empower people of determination and to promote an inclusive society in every community. We we’re honored to host the first World Games in the region earlier this year and are proud to partner with Special Olympics New York to bring what we have learned during our Year of Tolerance to the country’s most diverse state.”
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About Special Olympics New York
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York with year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health screenings. The organization also partners with more than 170 schools statewide to offer Unified Sports. All Special Olympics New York programs are offered at no cost to athletes, their families or caregivers. For additional information about Special Olympics New York, to learn more about getting involved, or to make a donation, visit www.specialolympicsNY.org.
Media Contact: Casey Vattimo, 518-992-4820, cvattimo@nyso.org
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