“Here, in Special Olympics, all the people can play,” says Anja Van Helden from Zug, Switzerland excitedly. However, that wasn’t always the case for Anja. “In the beginning, when I played soccer in a regular club, I was accepted for training but not to play the matches. I felt really bad.” Fortunately, Anja discovered her local Special Olympics Switzerland team—where she was welcomed for training sessions and matches!
“For me, it was amazing. The people were amazing. For me, Special Olympics was the golden ticket!!”
Anja has felt the impact both on and off the pitch. She continues, “I have made a lot of friends here, in soccer, and I gained a lot of confidence.”
Anja’s coach, Ambros Birrer, has seen a change in her since she joined his squad. He says, “She talks more with people than before. Football is a great sport for her. I’m so proud because she is a team player!”
From 17 to 24 May, Anja joins 35,000 players across 45 European countries who are taking to the football pitch to celebrate Special Olympics European Football Week (EFW). This year is a particularly important one for EFW as it celebrates a milestone 25th Birthday. Since its inception in 2000, EFW has provided opportunities for over 700,000 people with intellectual disabilities to engage in over 7,000 football activities, fostering inclusion, and community.
