The start of March marked the first step in the Olympics journey for Special Olympics’ athletes in Ireland.
Taking place countrywide, thousands of athletes competed in 90 area events in multiple sports, in the first step of a programme aimed at building the next team of Irish athletes to compete at World Games in 2019.
On March 2nd, Special Olympics Ireland was joined by former Irish international rugby player and Special Olympics board member, David Wallace, and Gala Retail to announce Gala’s sponsorship of the all-island Area Events and a new four-year partnership.
In a major six-figure deal, Gala’s journey with Special Olympics Ireland begins by supporting the all-island Area Events, and the relationship will reflect the four-year Olympic cycle, with Gala’s sponsorship continuing until the 2019 World Summer Games.
Gala’s support also includes the Ireland Winter Games (2016), the World Winter Games (2017) and Special Olympics European Games (2018).
Gala’s relationship with Special Olympics Ireland has strengthened since it became one of the main sponsors of Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer Games last year, when Ireland brought home an incredible 82 medals.
Commenting on the sponsorship announcement, Gary Desmond, CEO, of Gala explains: “Last year’s commitment to Team Ireland was a special partnership for Gala, and from the outset, there were many special moments, right from the launch to the World Summer Games.
“As an Irish-owned convenience group, with almost 200 Gala stores across the country, all of our stores and their communities know either Special Olympics athletes, volunteers or someone within the Special Olympics family. Therefore, it’s a partnership that resonates with the Gala Group, and one that we’re extremely proud to be associated with.”
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
