When it comes to sports for the disabled, many are left behind yet it’s vital that those responsible should continue to support good social care.
But in one noble respect, the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) recently signed a 3-year agreement with Special Olympics Rwanda.
The partnership was signed by the Minister Julienne Uwacu on behalf of the Government of Rwanda and Charles Nyambe, the Vice President of operations for Special Olympics in Africa.
The partnership is aimed at expanding opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in the areas of sports, education and health, and will also increase awareness about the importance as well as other benefits of inclusion of all citizens in society.
It is also aimed at ensuring equal access to all persons with intellectual disabilities to social protections, services, and economic opportunities.
At the signing ceremony, Minister Uwacu said “This new partnership offers the government the opportunity to publicly re-affirm our commitment to ensuring that even the most marginalized of those with disabilities are included and respected in all aspects of life in our country”
Minister Uwacu further added that the partnership aims to demonstrate that playing together changes lives and, if you can play together, you can live, learn, and work together too.
On his part, Nyambe pointed out that Special Olympics Africa are delighted to bring Special Olympic Unified Sports to Rwanda, with the aim of helping to change the perception that exist for people with intellectual disabilities.
Under the leadership of His Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Rwanda is already at the forefront in the region when it comes to efforts to ensure people with disabilities are afforded equal protections and opportunities.
To mark the launch of the partnership, Special Olympics Rwanda will host a women’s special demonstration football match as well as a Unified Sports occasion to promote both gender equality and social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences.
The Special Olympics International founded in 2002, has programs in nearly 170 countries devoted to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experience.
It provides year-round sports training and athletics competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports namely: football, basketball to mention but a few for children and adults with intellectual disabilities hence giving hem physical fitness, courage and creating friendship.
The concept of Unified Sports was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Today more than 1.2 million people worldwide take part in Unified Sports, breaking down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities in a really fun way.
Panorama
