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South Africa, 23 July 2008 – Special Olympics South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund have teamed up to change the way society treats children and youth with intellectual disabilities. The one-year project aims to integrate youth with and without an intellectual disability through Special Olympics' Unified Sports® program.
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Download photo: Nelson Mandela and Special Olympics South Africa athletes at the announcement of the new Special Olympics South Africa and Nelson Mandela Children's Fund partnership to change the way society treats children and youth with intellectual disabilities. Photo courtesy of Special Olympics South Africa. |
The Unified Sports program is a unique opportunity for children and youth with and without a disability to participate on the same team and compete with other Unified Sports teams. The success of this initiative has been demonstrated by the Unified Sports basketball team formed by Special Olympics athletes from Nokuthula LSEN School and partners from St. Benedicts Preparatory School. “Unified basketball teaches me more than playing basketball, it teaches me that no matter where you come from or what abilities or disabilities you have, everybody can achieve in life,” commented one Unified Sports basketball partner on the team's recent return from competing at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
The vision for the project was shared by the founders of both organizations, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and former South African President Nelson Mandela, who understood the impact that integrated sport can play in changing the way society treats individuals with intellectual disabilities. “It is fitting that this project should kick off at this point in 2008, as we celebrate 40 years of Special Olympics' success and the 90th birthday of the children's champion, Mr Nelson Mandela,” commented Special Olympics South Africa Chairman Dr Mathews Phosa. “What better tribute than to honor these two great leaders with a program that embodies their vision of a society where everyone is accepted and celebrated, regardless of their ability.”
The initiative of these two organizations will go beyond Unified Sports, including the implementation of the Special Olympics Young Athletes™ program, which introduces young children between the ages of 2 and 7 years with intellectual disabilities to sports and competition and works on building the physical and mental skills they'll need later to take part in Special Olympics sports. In addition, the initiative will focus on nurturing the leadership skills of older athletes who wish to take on a role as coach, official or advocate for the movement. It will be implemented to various extents in five provinces initially, namely Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape.
There are more than 1 million individuals with intellectual disabilities in South Africa, many of whom live in social isolation, with little support or opportunities to participate in society. Special Olympics offers year round sports training and competition opportunities for both children and adults with an intellectual disability, giving them an opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and become integrated and valued members of our society.
The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund strives to change the way in which society treats its children and youth and achieves this through developing partnerships and initiating programs which empower and improve the well-being of children and youth.
For more information, contact Camille Duncan at CDuncan@specialolympics.org
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