On the evening of December 11, a group birthday celebration for the Chinese chess and go competitions of the National Para Games and Special Olympics was held warmly at Zhuhai Resort Hotel. The event was specially organized to send sincere and best wishes to 8 “birthday stars” who celebrated their birthdays during the competition.
These “birthday stars” included athletes striving hard on the field, referees safeguarding the fairness of the event, team leaders who coordinated meticulously, and professional and responsible coaches.
At the scene, amid warm-up music, volunteers guided the “birthday stars” to enter the venue in an orderly manner. Later, Zeng Chuxi, a young blind artist from Zhuhai, gave a piano performance and sang Direction of the Heart. Eight sign language teachers from the “Special Education Vanguard” Sign Language Service Team performed the Birthday Blessing Song with lively sign language, sending best wishes to the “birthday stars”.
Yang Jing, Executive Director of the Chinese Chess (Go) Competition Committee of the National Para Games and Special Olympics and Chairman of the Zhuhai Disabled Persons’ Federation, delivered a congratulatory speech to the “birthday stars”. She wished them to achieve excellent results in the event and gain wonderful experiences in life, and hoped that through this birthday celebration, the “birthday stars” would feel the warmth of home in Zhuhai.
Volunteers put birthday hats on each “birthday star” and presented carefully prepared birthday bouquets. These beautiful bouquets were of extraordinary significance—they were all hand-made by people with disabilities from Zhuhai Community Rehabilitation Centers, and each flower was full of the craftsmanship and sincerity of hand-making.
In the warm atmosphere, staff wheeled out the birthday cake—which was specially designed in the style of Chinese chess and go boards, fitting the theme of the event. After the candles were lit, everyone at the scene sang Happy Birthday together, and the sign language teachers sent blessings in sign language simultaneously. The “birthday stars” blew out the candles, cut the cake, and took group photos to capture this warm moment.
“It was a great surprise and totally unexpected!” Li Yazhe, from the Beijing team’s women’s physical disability group in the Chinese chess event of the National Para Games and Special Olympics, was about to celebrate her 50th birthday. Learning that a birthday session was arranged for her at the venue, she expressed joy and excitement: “This will be my most unforgettable memory of participating in the competition.”