The Special Olympics Tanzania (SOT) football team will take on Azam FC Junior team tomorrow in a unified football match at Azam Complex in Chamazi as part of activities marking the Global Week of Inclusion (GWI).
SOT Director Charles Rays said the match aims to showcase the power of inclusion through sport and provide spectators with an opportunity to witness how teamwork can unite people from different backgrounds.
“The unified football match at Azam Complex is more than a competition; it is a movement proving that when we play together, we grow together. Through exciting matches, emotional moments and stories of teamwork and determination, this platform will demonstrate that inclusion makes every team stronger,” Rays said.
He expressed confidence that the SOT team will deliver a strong performance in the match, which is expected to kick off in the morning.
Rays said inclusive sports remain an important tool for promoting social change in Tanzania, adding that SOT is working to ensure more children with intellectual disabilities participate in sporting activities.
“Inclusive sports give people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to showcase their abilities, build confidence and become active members of society,” he said.
He noted that Tanzania, like many African countries, has made progress in promoting inclusive sports but still has more work to do to ensure equal participation and opportunities for all.
Rays stressed that inclusion should be embraced as an essential part of everyday life, warning that people with intellectual disabilities continue to face barriers to participation, opportunities and acceptance.
“Inclusion is not a trend; it is a fundamental human right. When people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in our communities, workplaces and schools, society becomes richer because inclusion reduces stigma, builds empathy and drives meaningful change,” he said.
The Global Week of Inclusion is a worldwide campaign that promotes the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of community life.
The campaign encourages individuals, schools, businesses, media and community organisations to challenge stereotypes, celebrate achievements and support the creation of more inclusive societies.
Special Olympics, which has promoted inclusion globally for 58 years, continues to use sport as a platform to empower people with intellectual disabilities and create opportunities for participation and recognition.
