Poway to host Special Olympics teams from Ecuador, Togo
Poway will play host this July to delegations of Special Olympics athletes from Ecuador and Togo.
Just under 100 adult athletes and coaches will spend July 21-24 in and around Poway on their way to the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. The international competition will be held July 25 to Aug. 2.
Poway, an officially designated Host Town, was notified Monday about the visiting team members. City Councilman Jim Cunningham, Poway Host Town committee chairwoman Sue Herndon and fundraiser Kevin McNamara will represent the city at a Host Town gathering on Sunday in Los Angeles, although representatives from the two countries will not be present.
Ecuador is a county of 15.2 million people in the northwest portion of South America. Its largest city is Guayaquil and the official language is Spanish. The country plans to send a 68-member team to the World Games.
The tropical West African country of Togo is one of the smallest on the continent, with a population of 7.2 million. Its largest city is Lome. The official language is French. A delegation of 30 athletes and coaches is expected.
While in Poway the two teams will be housed at the Hampton Inn & Suites, which has offered the use of its hotel at discounted rates, Cunningham said. Plans for the visit are still being developed but will likely include a social event a Lake Poway and training time at Poway High School. Much of the planning work will be handled by the city’s community services department and by a volunteer committee.
Donations are being sought from Poway companies and individuals to help underwrite the costs of transporting, housing and feeding the teams. Cunningham said plans to raise $25,000 through the sale of 100 “honorary host committee” memberships for $250 each are underway. To date 30 memberships, which come with a small “torch” trophy, have been sold, he said. He may be contacted at jcunningham@poway.org for more information.
Company and corporate support is being handled by McNamara, who is trying to raise an additional $25,000. He may be contacted at mcnamarainvestments@gmail.com.
In the event funding for the local effort falls short of the $50,000 goal, the City Council has earmarked up to $25,000 to fill in the gap. Cunningham says he is optimistic that the city money will not be needed.
Tax-deductable donations to the Special Olympics World Games, which will be credited to the Poway Host Town account, can be made through the city’s website: www.poway.org.
Poway is one of about 100 Host Towns in Southern California. In San Diego County there are hosting committees in East County, downtown San Diego and the north coastal region.
