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Left-right: Special Olympics swimmers Babichenko Tatyana and Atadjanov Begli, coach Musa-Zade Nazakat and Special Olympics swimmer Gurtjanov Hojaahmet. All three swimmers have competed in international Special Olympics competitions. (Photo by Krzysztof Krukowski) |
From 22-28 March 2008, Krzysztof Krukowski, Director, Organizational Development, for Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, visited the Special Olympics national Program in Turkmenistan. During his visit, Krukowski was in the capital, Ashgabat, where he and Program staff met with representatives from city government, the sports ministry, the American embassy and Counterpart, an international development organization. The purpose of these meetings was to explore ways in which these entities can support Special Olympics Turkmenistan and to discuss the feasibility of the Program hosting international events, such as a Special Olympics Central Asia Games.
Krukowski said the discussions were highly positive and there was agreement that hosting international events in Turkmenistan would be an important step forward in bringing the public's attention to the needs and interests of people with intellectual disabilities. Krukowski also had the opportunity to visit a sub-Program in the Mary Province, located in the southernmost part of the country. In the provincial capital, also named Mary, Krukowski was on hand to watch the first aquatics training of the season in the outdoor city pool. Approximately 18 Special Olympics athletes train twice a week in the pool that is provided free of charge by the city. The athletes live at local Internat No. 2. Several parents come to watch and help organize the weekly training.
Musa-Zade Nazakat, who has been a Special Olympics aquatics coach for nine years, said, “I love the athletes. They give me a great feeling of happiness. I see how they and their families change. The athletes become self-confident and sociable while their parents start to become proud of them.”
Krukowski learned from his discussions with parents and coaches that they share a common view - that Special Olympics has a profound impact on the athletes, enabling them to overcome the stigma associated with having an intellectual disability and finding their place within Turkmen society.
Special Olympics Turkmenistan provides training and sports opportunities to approximately 10,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout the country. |
