Young hopefuls from Hackney have triumphed over teams from Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, and Newham in the 15th Panathlon, a competitive multi-sports event for disabled young people.
Up to 175 young disabled people battled it out in eight different events, including football, table cricket, and a game called polybat – similar to table tennis but adapted for those with disabilities. The contest took place on Tuesday at Langdon School in East Ham.
It was a close call between runners-up Newham, who scored 52 points, and Hackney, who pipped them to the post with 54 points overall, making them the winners of today’s games. Both teams will go through to the east London final of the competition, to take place on 16 March.
An annual regional sports competition has been hosted by Langdon School since 1993, but eight years ago Ashley Iceton, founder of the Panathlon event, adapted the games specifically for young disabled people.
Mr Iceton was proud of what the four teams managed to achieve today and said he has even bigger hopes for the future: “We hope to involve over 1,000 disabled Londoners this year. The 175 people that took part today did so with great enthusiasm, skill and endeavour. They should be very proud of their achievements.”
