The 2025 Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago (SOTT) National Games concluded last weekend with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, bringing to an end a six-week celebration which featured over 800 athletes, 200 coaches, and 350 volunteers from across the nation. The games, which commenced on May 10, featured 27 schools and teams competing across eight sporting disciplines, including bocce, volleyball, equestrian, athletics, powerlifting, basketball, aquatics, and football. Throughout the competition period, athletes with intellectual disabilities demonstrated their dedication, training rigorously and competing with unwavering spirit. Major David Benjamin, chairman of the board of SOTT, reflected on the games’ success. “These past six weeks have been a testament to the incredible strength, determination, and athletic prowess of our special athletes,” he said. “Their performances have not only showcased their individual talents but have truly united our nation in celebration of inclusion and excellence. The dedication shown by every participant, coach, and volunteer has made this year’s games truly memorable.” The competition saw participants from Eshe’s Learning Centre, Eternal Light Community Vocational School, Goodwill Industries, Happy Haven Tobago, Immortelle Centre, Independents, Keisha Welcome & Associates Intervention Services (KWAIS), Kidspace Inclusive Education Centre, Lady Hochoy Home Cocorite, Lady Hochoy Home Gasparillo, Lady Hochoy School Arima, Lady Hochoy School Gasparillo, Lady Hochoy School Penal, Lady Hochoy Vocational Centre, Life Centre. Also featured were athletes from Mantaray Community Swim Club, Memisa Vocational Centre, the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), New Beginning Special School, Palmeras Learning Centre, Point-a-Pierre Government Special School, St. Ann’s Hospital, St. Mary’s Home School, Tobago School for the Deaf, Speech & Language Impaired, Tobago Technical Vocational School and Topaz Educentre. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts emphasised the government’s continued support for inclusive athletics. “The Special Olympics Trinidad and Tobago National Games represent the very best of our nation’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to excel in sports. This government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing the resources and infrastructure necessary for inclusive sports development,” he said.