Athletes with special needs get i2's attention

The team participated in the 4th GCC Wheelchair Basketball Championship organized by the Committee for GCC Disabled Sports. Impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of the team, i2 was more than happy to sponsor the recently assembled team from the word go and plans on being there for the rest of their sporting career.

"i2 believes in the team and extended its support from the beginning. We believe we are paying attention to a neglected segment of the population. It is estimated that approximately ten per cent of the population in the GCC is disabled. Of the disabled population 2.5 percent has mobility disability, which includes the members of the Bahraini team we are sponsoring" stated Jihad El Eit, Vice President of Marketing, i2.

Five teams participated in the championships consisting of ten games played over the course of 2 days at the Kuwaiti Disabled Sports Club. "When the representative from the Bahrain Wheelchair Basketball team approached i2, we were amazed by the spirit and enthusiasm of the team" continued El Eit.

The organizing committee for GCC disabled sports organizes this championship every 2 years along with other friendly matches throughout the year. Although the 4th GCC Wheelchair Basketball Championship was the main event this year, there is an Arabic and Asian Championship every two years and an international championship every four years.

"We are proud to be sponsoring the Bahrain team and we plan to provide them with continued support to ensure they have what it takes to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Currently little attention is given to the disabled, an important segment which tends to be marginalized. They are often deprived from fully participating in the development of society" concluded El Eit.

As a result of the Bahrain team's dedication and management, they participated in the 4th GCC Wheelchair Basket ball Championship along with one or two other tournaments throughout the year. Furthermore, the team will be sent to a boot camp where they have friendly games and undertake fitness training along side teams from across the Middle East.