Some local companies are advocating for mindset change towards people with physical impairment and intellectual disabilities as one way of dealing with discrimination and abuses faced by the disabled people in the country.
The companies say such discrimination is believed to hinder the disabled participation in sports, education and other activities that will help them reach their full potential.
The call follows continued discrimination and abuse of individuals with physical impairment and intellectual disabilities with reported cases of some families and guardians locking them up in rooms.
The call was made by Tiba Healthcare Limited(THL)and Africab at the end of a one day Para Swimming Talent Identification Gala which was organized by Tanzania Para Swimming Association(TPSA)and held at Shaaban Robert Secondary School Swimming Pool in Dar es Salaam and attracted 102 para swimmers from 11 clubs.
The clubs which competed at the gala are Genesis School,Jaffery Academy,Josephian School,Pigec Swim Club, Oasis Swim Club,Stingrays Swim Club,Down Syndrome Tanzania,Pugu Secondary School,Jangwani Secondary School ,Jon Ultra Sports and Almuntazir Islamic School.
Marriah Hussein who is one of the board of directors for Africab said every person regardless of his or her status has a God given potential.
“ Every human being has potential which God give him or her, to you my fellow disabled persons am urging you not to look down upon yourselves, dont give up on yourselves , you have potential and you can do something for the Nation, if you can not run you can walk, if you can not walk you crawl,if you can not see you can touch, That is how life, God gave you something unique ,make use of it,” said Mariah who herself has vision difficulties.
She promised her company support towards the welfare of the disabled persons in the country.
The Africab board member further said there is a need for more sensitization to change people’s mindset towards the disabled people in the country.
In his remarks THL Chief Operations Officer(COO)Arun Charma said they are happy to be involved in Para Sports in the country , he said they are delighted with the thrills of the third edition of Para Swimming Talent Identification Gala.
He said the support to the event is part of THL Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR)and they are eager to make next year's edition even more exciting.
Our Mission is to be a provider of high quality patient focused health care that is readily accessible ,cost effective and meets the needs of the community we serve and this support to Para Swimming is part of giving back to the society we operate in and through our support to the Para Swimming Talent Identification gala, we have not only developed Para Swimming as a sport, but we are also promoting wellness among athletes, We have also noted that this event has brought great excitement among para swimming lovers and swimmers themselves , We believe in para swimming and we believe in sports,
“ Tiba Healthcare Limited is commited to see that everyone is taking part in sports, our company was estabrished by visionary leaders who believed in simple guiding principles ,folowing foundermental values form the foundation of THL culture,” he said.
He further said his company believes that when they invest in para sports they uplift and inspire many young athletes.
At the same function, the government said that it will work with various stakeholders to ensure para sports in the country thrives in schools and communities.
This was said by National Sports Council(NSC)Senior Sports Officer Chalres Maguzu, he said the government is ready to support para sport in the country, and called others to join ,saying for the country to achieve sport for all and inclusive sport, there is need for different stakeholders to join hands.
He thanked the all the companies who suported the Para Swimming Talent Indentification gala.
“ We really thank the Tanzania Para Swimming Association(TPSA)for organizing this gala, we are also delighted that most participants of the gala are from schools, as the government we are ready to support all sporting activities in the country including para sports, our aim is to see many people with disabilities taking part in para sports is increasing,” he said.
TPSA secretary general Ramadhan Namkomveka thanked all sponsors of the gala and stakeholders , he said the gala will give the association a greater opportunity to discover more talent for the national team.
Namkomveka said the mission and Vision of the Competition and its main objective was to identify new talent among swimmers with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments (including cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome).
He said games were aimed at developing skills, encouraging greater participation, and building awareness about the importance of sports for people with disabilities in the country.
The talent identification was used to identify National Para swimming athletes who will form the National team which will compete at international events including the 2028 Los Angeles Paraylpmpics.
" The primary goal is to form a national team that will compete in international competitions and achieve the dream of representing Tanzania in the upcoming Paralympic Games,starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics,” he said.