BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Dar Tal-Providenza participants celebrate different abilities

The athletes taking part in this year’s edition of the BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Dar Tal-Providenza today took part in a special session of training, which took the form of a Sitting-Volley tournament.

The friendly tournament was organised at the gymnasium of the Residence with the collaboration of ParaVolleyball Malta.
The volleyball marathon, which now is in the 8th anniversary, will take place on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July 2015 and will last 53 hours. Mr Jesmond Saliba, on behalf of the organising committee thanked all the participants and volunteers who are taking part in this year’s edition. He stressed about the importance of marathon as a fund-raising initiative in aid of the 110 residents at Dar Tal-Providenza. He also referred to the fact that Id-Dar Tal-Providenza is celebrating the 50th anniversary since Mons. Michael Azzopardi started the project which was a significant milestone in giving people with disability dignity.

Mr. Oliver Scicluna, Chairperson of the National Commission for People with Disability thanked the participants and volunteers for their effort in aid of the residents of this monument of solidarity. He also thanked for the sitting volley initiative, which is a celebration of integration of people with different abilities.

Mr. Noel Aquilina, from Breaking Limits stressed the importance that where possible, people with disability should be seen for their abilities and not for their disabilities. He referred to the various initiatives taken by Breaking Limits aimed at integrating people through sport.

Mr. Nello Callejja, who has set up ParaVolley Malta said that the idea behind today’s tournament is that of giving further significance to the efforts which the participants are doing and will be doing in the coming days.
This year’s technical preparation was led by Mr. Silvan Gauci, who explained the level of training undertaken this year and also spoke about the selection process which has now been concluded. He thanked all those who volunteered for this year’s edition and also invited the Maltese and Gozitans to come over to the premises of Dar Tal-Providenza and give their support to the athletes, donate and enjoy the entertainment and feast environment which will be set up on the days of the Marathon.