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Excellence in Sports Leadership in Kenya

Special Olympics Kenya will host the region’s largest annual gathering—the Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference with sponsor A Very Special Christmas
Athletes celebrating
The Special Olympics Kenya men's floorball team has been selected to represent Kenya at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy in March 2025.

Nairobi, Kenya – 6 September 2024 – In recognition of Special Olympics Kenya’s continued excellence in sports leadership, the program will play host to 80 delegates from 19 countries on the occasion of the Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference from 9-11 September at the Trademark Suites in Enaki.

Special Olympics Kenya was the first program in Africa to start Special Olympics programming in 1978 and is today the region’s largest program with 83,175 registered athletes and Unified partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities). The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities, breaking down barriers so they can participate as full members of their community.

This year marks the 20th Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference and will cover three days of sessions that include international speakers on local program development, good governance, governmental relations, fundraising, social media marketing, data collection and fundraising.

A showcase of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program will take place at Lions Sight First Hospital, providing free health screenings to athletes with intellectual disabilities in the fields of vision, audiology, dentistry, prevention and nutrition, and a physical exam. This event will include an Inclusive Health panel discussion, supported by long-standing global health partner Golisano Foundation, followed by a Badminton Africa theory and demonstration session made possible by partner Gallagher.

“We are proud to host our conference with our oldest and largest Program, Special Olympics Kenya. This local organization has excelled in delivering Special Olympics programming to the most marginalized in their society, not just on the sports field but in the classroom with inclusive education and in the health sector with free Healthy Athletes® screenings. The partnership with Lions Sight First Hospital is a landmark site showcasing the life changing work we can do for people with intellectual disabilities through local partners, Lions Clubs International and the Golisano Foundation."
Charles Nyambe, President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Africa Region

Special Olympics Kenya team heads to 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy

During the Special Olympics Kenya National Games on 1 September, the winning team in men’s floorball from Nairobi was selected to compete in the upcoming World Games in Turin. These eight athletes will leave for host town next March, where the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, will welcome over 1,500 athletes from 103 countries competing in 8 disciplines in the name of sport, friendship and inclusion.

About Special Olympics

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global sports movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership. With over four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in 200 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Engage with us on: X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.

About Special Olympics Kenya

Through programming in sports, health, education, and community building, Special Olympics Kenya creates opportunities that address the injustice, isolation, intolerance, and inactivity faced by individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Special Olympics Kenya collaborates with partners to marshal resources, implement diverse programming, and act as a convening power of stakeholders to drive positive attitudinal and behavioral change towards people with intellectual disabilities in communities. Special Olympics Kenya was founded in 1978. Engage with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X. Learn more at www.specialolympicskenya.org.

About A Very Special Christmas

The ‘A Very Special Christmas’ albums, created by world renowned musical artists, producers and A&M Records, launched the first album launched in 1987. In 2017, over $3 million was allocated by the Christmas Records Trust to support Program Development and fund Christmas Record Grants. These grants were used to recruit athletes, train coaches, host competitions, and expand athlete and partner participation in Unified Sports. Since 1998, over $70 million has been given to Special Olympics Programs from the Christmas Records Trust.

Media Contact

Romi Reinecke

Special Olympics Africa
Senior Director, Communications, Africa Region
+254759464615