Over 100 children with disability grace Special Olympics day

Jinja. As celebrations to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, over 100 children with intellectual disabilities drawn from Jinja Kibaale, Wakiso and Gulu districts took part in football activities at Wairaka College in Jinja district yesterday.

The finals organized by Special Olympics Uganda, saw the boys’ and girls’ football teams from Gulu defeat Wakiso and Kibaale by 1-0 and 3-2 after penalties respectively.

Ms Genevieve Bamwidhukire, the National Director Special Olympics Uganda, said a total of 108 participants aged between 6 years and 19 years represented of the 100 selected from each of the four districts.
“We discovered that these kids love sports as opposed to learning, say, Mathematics and English which they find difficult.

“Through sports we are able to bring out the inclusiveness and equality that government agitates for,” she said.
Ms Bamwidhukire noted that the kids have been undergoing training with qualified coaches since July and have shown significant improvement.

“We now have to implement what was meant to be done within a year in just one week,” she said.
Ms Ruth Sebatindira, the Board Chairperson Special Olympics Uganda, regretted that children with intellectual disabilities are discriminated upon, even in their own families and some even kept with animals.

“We are therefore advocating for such groups so that they can showcase their abilities,” she said.
Prior to the event, the kids all underwent a comprehensive health screening exercise in which their eyes, dental and cardiovascular components were all checked.

The day’s theme was ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and ensuring inclusiveness and equality and was sponsored by UNICEF and ESPN.

pwafula”ug.nationmedia.com