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CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS WITH AN IMPAIRMENT ENJOY THE OPENING CEREMONY THANKS TO FREE TICKETS
About 450 children and teenagers with an impairment or in state of abandonment, as well as senior citizens from 13 different institutions attended the opening ceremony.
A total of 442 children and teenagers with an impairment or in state of vulnerability enjoyed the opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games thanks to the free tickets gifted by the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee.
People from 13 different institutions have benefited from free tickets. Among them are: children from Asociación de Distrofía Muscular, Teletón, CEBE San Francisco de Asís, Inabif, CAR San Francisco, Niño Jesús de Praga-Ancón, CAR San Miguel Arcángel, Municipality of San Luis, Omaped, Casa albergue Manthoc, Centro Integral del adulto mayor, Programa Vaso de Leche and Colectivo 21.
Colectivo 21 is a non-profit organization, which works to improve people’s quality of life with Down syndrome. One of its projects is “Empate Fútbol Club,” a free sports school for people with Down syndrome.
The members of this group are from 15 to 33 years old and represented Peru a few months ago, in the second World Futsal Championships, held in Brazil (Futsal is a variation of football played by five people on a small court). They arrived at the National Stadium dressed in their national team jackets, full of enthusiasm.
“We are so excited...This is a major event that shows not only people with an impairment, but also their skills to succeed. It’s their time. We think that these Games are going to open minds and spaces,” said Gissely Alvarado, Colectivo 21 vice president.
Lima 2019 free tickets
The Free Tickets program, implemented by Lima 2019, has already benefited six thousand people during the Pan American Games and aims to double the number so more children can enjoy sports competitions.
“As part of this initiative, per each ticket bought by private schools, the organization commits to benefit mostly children and teenagers in state of vulnerability from a free ticket. Therefore, we are coordinating with many institutions and non-profit organizations,” said Héctor Ramos, Lima 2019 Ticketing manager.
This way, the Games Organizing Committee seeks to gather everyone at this sporting event promoting the Paralympic values (courage, determination, inspiration and equality) and lets everyone know the skills of the participating Para athletes.
