Thanks to a collaboration between Special Olympics Sarawak (Kuching Chapter) and Kuching Association of Talent Development and Welfare of Special Needs (KATSN), Sarawakians in the state can now learn basic bocce skills, every Sunday evening from 4.30pm till 6.00pm.
This collaboration kicked off recently via Chief Coach and Trainer Ng Kum Loy, at SJK Bintawa, Kuching. But things were set in motion since as early as late May!These regular Sunday bocce sessions are possible because of first contact between SO Sarawak and KATSN. After a presentation on 12 June 2022, so that KATSN could understand more about Special Olympics and the sport called bocce, KATSN President Madam Lim gave her support for a bocce course to be held for KATSN members and their children.
After that came the thorny problem of a suitable venue, but this was solved after meeting Mr Wee Kim Kwang, the Headmaster of SJK Bintawa, and Cikgu Aaron Chung, a PPKI teacher. Special thanks to Kathy Lee, a teacher counselor at the school, and parent Evelyn Sim for linking us together! The school has a Petangue court, and with two rolls of carpets (cut into 8 pieces) and PVC pipes, we successfully transformed it into a makeshift bocce court.
Not forgetting also, heartfelt gratitude to KATSN for outsourcing equipment for parents, children, and volunteers to play andenjoy bocce!
After an official letter to Sarawak State Education Department, supported by a letter from SO Kuching Chapter, the education department issued their approval for bocce to be carried out at the school! (With several conditions to be followed).
7 athletes together with their parents, coaches, and volunteers attended this inaugural session… we look to welcome more to join us!
If you are interested to join us, or would like to know how to start a sports training/coaching session in your area, contact us!
Group photo of all participants.
Self-introduction by all participants.
Rolls of artificial lawn carpets are use to setup the Bocce court.
4 pieces of carpet arranged strategically for optimum participation.
Participants getting ready for warm up.
Participants doing stretching as part of warm up exercise.
Participants getting to know the terminology of the game.
Basic skill development: Rolling, Direction, and Foul Line.
