It is the season of inter-house sports competitions and quite a few were held last week. But one stood out among the rest. It was the second inter house sports competition of the 40-year-old Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children, Lagos, which took place at the weekend.

Boldly written on the back of the children's sports wear was the inscription: "There is ability in disability."

Principal of the school, Sister Justina Obiajunwa, stressed that the event, theme 'Enhancing Our Talents' was a celebration and not a competition. Some of the old pupils of the school who are now in secondary schools within the city were invited to celebrate with the school.

Her words: "Our sports event is a celebration and not a competition. We are not eager to win any prize or any trophy although; we will give out some at the end of the days events. We are celebrating the gifts and talents which God endowed us with. We are nurturing and developing these talents. We are building the talents up. We also discover some hidden talents and bring them to light."

Not a few marvelled at what the children could do. high and long jumps, 50 metres junior boys and girls, relay boys and girls, filling the bottle, catching the train, and of course, the blind game.

Thirteen-year-old Jude Onotevure, whom the master of ceremony described as confident and courageous participated in the highest number of events - the high and long jumps, short put, the relay races and ladder game. His house came first in the march past, but came second in the entire celebration with 168 points. Green House came first with 170 points, Yellow House, third with 133 points and blue house, fourth with 131 points.

Obiajunwa said mobility and orientation is an integral part of the life of visually impaired persons. It enables them to develop and build up self confidence and courage. This self confidence enhances learning and academic performance of the visually impaired person.

She added: "Sport is that aspect of mobility and orientation that enables the school discover the gifts and talents of the pupils. It makes room for the pupils to discover their ability area which improves their learning. The pupils are challenged to participate in those activity which naturally the feel they cannot cope with due to their disability.

"We introduce and encourage our pupils to participate in all sports activities such as field and track events, football, table tennis etc. Their involvement in these activities places them at par with their sighted brothers and sisters at home or their contemporaries in other schools.

"It eliminates that air and tag of disability and equips the pupils with the knowledge and confidence that we can participate in any activity and event despite our condition. The pupils developed positive picture of who they are and what they can achieve and be in life.

But how did the pupils pull through the various events? The theme of the school's 40th anniversary, which was marked with fanfare last year was 'The World I See'. What world do the visually challenged see? How has it been at Pacelli since former Military Administrator, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa, handed it back to its original owner, the Catholic Church? This and more next week.