By The Respondents Reporter
Special Olympics Tanzania (SOT) will next week join the world countries in celebrating Global Week of Inclusion slated for next Monday to Friday.
SOT Director Charles Rays said the week is a global campaign that highlights the importance of including people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of community life.
Rays said during the week they will be a lot of awareness inclusion sporting activities which include unifying football match with a team to be announced later and said the public is encouraged to participate and show their support.
He said as World Special Olympics marks 58 years of advancing inclusion worldwide, the campaign invites individuals, schools, businesses, media and community organisations to help create a more inclusive and respectful society for all.
“ People with intellectual disabilities still face barriers to participation, opportunity and belonging. Global Week of Inclusion encourages communities to challenge stereotypes, celebrate achievements and take action for inclusion, from next Monday to Friday we will join the world in celebrating global week of inclusion,” he said .
The Global Week of Inclusion which was formerly known as the Global Week for Special Olympics is celebrated annually to promote acceptance and create a unified, respectful world for people with intellectual disabilities. In 2026, the movement's flagship week of celebration will takes place from July 20-26 every year .
During this dedicated week, individuals, organizations, and communities around the globe are invited to get involved and demonstrate their solidarity with Special Olympics athletes.
The country has been actively in Special Olympics activities by among other things attending continental and global meetings, early this year five Tanzanians attended the Special Olympics Africa Region athlete’s congress and Youth Summit in South Africa.
The South Africa congress and summit drew 130 leaders from 14 African countries and was funded by Special Olympics Africa.
According to Rays the aims of the four days congress and summit was youth and athletes empowerment in leadership ,public speaking, advocacy and better money habits .
Also other aims were empowering the next generation of special Olympics Africa.
The country delegations at the congress and summit as Jerry Mokiwa who doubles as SOT and Africa Region youth leader,Herith Suleiman Herith who is SOT athletes leader ,Bethuel Money who is the athletes partner ,Daniel Kiloba and Coach and mentor Eva Mhevita .
