A two-days carnival kicked off today at the Multi-purpose Hall in Honiara.
The carnival is organised for people with disability based on the theme, "Dis-playing abilities through sports"This is the first of its kind to be organised in the country.
Speaking at the opening of the carnival, the President for Honiara People with Disability Sports Carnival, Cyrene Aonima, thanked those who gathered to support people with disability at their carnival.
"This is another milestone in our country's sporting history, being able to host the first ever carnival for people with disability in the Solomon Islands," Ms. Aonima said.
She stated that the four objectives of the carnival are: to enable disable people to participate in things which they normally do not have access to, bring together those with disabilities, raise awareness to general public on the needs for the disabled and to develop the capacity to involve and develop such sports in the future.
The Honiara City Mayor, Alfred Maetia, in his remarks, encouraged participants that it is not about win or lose but "how you play the game" that matters.
Also speaking at the disability carnival opening, representative of the Australian High Commission's Office in Honiara, Anthea Blaike said they are happy with the support given to people with disabilities.
Ms. Blaike said that the aim for Australian Sports Outreach Programme is promotion of the sport, in particular for people with disability who do not have good access to sports facilities.
"We hope that the event will increase understanding to people of Honiara about the people with disability and about their disability," she added.
The sports carnival was funded by the Australian government through the Australian sports outreach programme in providing equipments for the carnival.