COMPETITORS flocked to Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College to take part in the Basingstoke Disabled Games.

Six teams of participants from across the south of England, including from places such as Gosport, Aylesbury and Rushmoor, got active and involved in the games, which have been running annually for 41 years.

People with a range of disabilities enjoyed playing games like table tennis, carpet bowls and skittles with overall winners collecting massive trophies for their efforts.

The games, which encourage people of all disabilities and ages to compete in sport, has been jointly run by its chair Julian Thomas for the last 16 years and he understands its vital role it plays in disabled people’s lives.

“It’s very important,” Julian Thomas, chairman of the games, said.

“Without disability sport, it means you are segregating between abled and disabled people.

“With the success of the Paralympics, it shows there is sport out there and these games show that Basingstoke are absolutely doing their bit to support it.”

He added: “Without the help of the Rotary and Lions clubs and everyone who helped we couldn’t run the day.

“It was a splendid day and everybody said they had a good time.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s mayor Cllr Jane Frankum was on hand to present awards to eventual winners from the groups with their trophies.

She also spoke to some of the competitors about the competition.
Cllr Frankum said: “The weather may have been miserable and very wet but it was great to see the enthusiasm and smiles of everyone there. 

“There were representatives from across the south and everyone tried their best and obviously had a great time. 

“I felt very privileged to have been invited to meet such a great group of people.”

For anyone interested in getting involved in disability sports, you can join Dis Sport, a group which meets between 7.30pm and 9.30pm every Tuesday at Basingstoke Sports Centre, in Festival Place.