Special Olympics Nigeria

Special Olympics is a global nonprofit organization targeting the nearly 200 million people around the world who have intellectual disabilities and with a presence in nearly 200 countries worldwide and seven world-region offices (Africa, Asia Pacific, East Asia, Europe/Eurasia, Latin America, Middle East/North Africa, North America), the organisation is constantly expanding.

The organization is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of the society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. There is no charge to participate in Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics movement was initiated by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of the former United States President John F. Kennedy, in the early 1960's when she was working with people diagnosed with intellectual disability. Here Mrs. Shriver realized that people with intellectual disability were far more capable in sports and physical activities than many experts believed possible. This led her to organize a day camp for people with Intellectual disabilities at her home. Today, this vision has evolved to more than 200 programmes in over 180 countries around the world.

Decades since Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics in 1968, Special Olympics has been supported by outstanding leaders in the fields of sports, education, business, government and disability advocacy. They serve on the International Board of Directors, give financial and political support, act as spokespeople, help build awareness and establish connections with important organizations and reluctant governments.

Special Olympics Nigeria is an affiliate of Special Olympics International a global non-profit organization created by the Joseph P. Kennedy foundation. Special Olympics Nigeria took off in January 2001, she held her formal launch on Tuesday 6^th December, 2005 at the sports complex of the University of Lagos, Akoka. The purpose of the launch was to introduce Special Olympics Nigeria to the Nigerian society by displaying the abilities possessed by Special Olympics Nigeria athletes to break the barrier of cultural inhibitions as regards the issue of intellectual disability in the Nigerian society and bring Special Olympics opportunities to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Nigerian society.

Special Olympics Nigeria Directors are made up of individuals drawn from different sectors of the Nigeria business community, its current Chairman is Mr. Victor G. Osibodu. Other members of the Board include; Mrs. Funmito Agusto, Mr. Tayo Aderinokun, Engr. C. A. Akindayomi, Mrs. Hetty Bakare, Mr. Foluso Phillips, Mr. Chris Okeke, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Mr. Udeme Ufot, and Mr. Misan Eresanara. The National Director of Special Olympics Nigeria is Mrs. Folashade Bolumole.

For many families with a family member who has intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics Nigeria has become a symbol of hope, that’s because the movement’s year-round program of sports training and athletic competition gives Special Olympics athletes the chance to test their courage, show their determination and build their self-esteem. Special Olympics Nigeria offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year round training and competition in 6 Olympic type Sports which includes: 5-Aside soccer, Table-Tennis, Athletics, Basketball, Badminton and Swimming.

Other Special Olympics Initiatives which are being offered by Special Olympics Nigeria includes: Healthy Athletes Initiative, Family Support Network Programme and Special Olympics Young Athletes Initiative.

Special Olympics Nigeria is currently embedded in Special schools and centres across the 5 geo political zones of the country SW,SS, SE, NC NW; though plans are on ground to provide continuing sports training and competitions for athletes who are out of schools.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in Special Olympics, you must be at least 8 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions: intellectual disabilities, cognitive delays as measures by formal assessment, or significant learning or vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required designed instruction.

Benefit

Individuals who compete in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills and greater self confidence. They exhibit courage and enthusiasm and build lasting friendships. These life skills enhance their ability to live normal productive lives.

Official Summer Sports

Aquatics, Athletics, badminton, Basketball, Bowling, Cycling, Equestrian Sports, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Power lifting, Roller-Skating, Softball, Table Tennis, team Handball, Tennis and Volleyball.

Official Winter Sports

Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Floor Hockey and Speed Skating.

Funding

The success of Special Olympics Nigeria lies heavily in the support received from the members of the Special Olympics Nigeria Board, volunteers, families, business community and philanthropists. Although more than 10,000 athletes participate in Special Olympics Nigeria today, there are more than 1 million people with intellectual disabilities around the nation that are yet to be reached. Please help us reach them; your willingness to support Special Olympics Nigeria will give these athletes the chance to make their dreams come true. Special Olympics Nigeria welcomes support from individuals, corporations, foundations, government and restricted grants.

The second edition of the Special Olympics Nigeria National Games kicked off on Sunday 12th September 2010 with an Opening ceremony at the University of Lagos Sports Complex, Akoka, Lagos state.

The turnout of guests, friends, Leos, family members and board members was very impressive and the athletes put up a wonderful display in their colourful traditional attires as they paraded the track with different sponsors -GTBank, Coca Cola, MTN, CRI amongst others flanking them on their sides along with their coaches and heads of delegations.

The guests were entertained by the athletes through there presentations depicting the theme of the programme "be a fan of courage" that there is ability in disability on the 15th of September which was the Opening Ceremony.

Monday 13th – Tuesday 14th September, dawned clear and bright with 200 athletes gingered up for the competitions ahead. They displayed unparalled skills in Table tennis, badminton, soccer and athletics. Awards were presented to all the athletes that participated ranging from medals to ribbons, thus showing that at whatever level of participation an athlete is involved in, there is an award to be given.

Wednesday 15th September, 43 athletes were selected through a random draw those who will represent Nigeria at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens Greece in June.