2010 SPECIAL OLYMPICS NIGERIA NATIONAL GAMES

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.

Ball’s Eye View of Lagos

Ball’s Eye View of Lagos

“One Ball. One World.”

“One Ball. One World.”

The mother of a Special Olympian

The mother of a Special Olympian

The Ball

April 10th 2010, Special Olympics Nigeria had a ceremony as The Ball (Football's Olympic Torch) passed through Nigeria.

The Ball has been described as football’s equivalent to the Olympic Torch. Every four years, The Ball kicks off from its “Mount Olympus”, Battersea Park in London, where the very first game of modern rules football took place in 1864. The Ball celebrates this moment – the conception of modern football – because it gave rise to a common set of rules which enable the whole world to play together. The Ball’s destination is the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup.

Instead of being passed from hand to hand like the torch, The Ball is played with in as many kick–abouts and games of football as possible along the way to the host country. It is more than just a symbol of fair play to be admired from afar — it invites people from all walks of life to share in the joy of participation by directly engaging them in playing the game and indirectly by connecting them to the World Cup. (source )

You can read about the journey of The Ball on this blog here

On

A Documentary about Special Olympics Nigeria

Pictures from the Special Olympics Nigeria Patrons Cocktail

Special Olympics Nigeria had a cocktail on the 16th of February in appreciation of all our partners. Thanks to everyone who came out to make the night a success.

“The Ball” (Football's Olympic Torch)

“The Ball” (Football's Olympic Torch) in Nigeria: April 8th – 14th 2010

Brief History
Football's Olympic Torch

Every four years, a legendary football – The Ball – makes the journey
from Battersea Park, London (where the very first FA-rules football
match was played) to the Opening Ceremony of the Football World
Cup.

In doing so, it enriches the competition with a symbol that matches
the spirit of the Olympic Flame.

In 2010, The Ball will make a 10,000 mile pilgrimage to South Africa
through West and East Africa.

The 2010 journey will be grassroots celebration of the power and
excitement that football brings to a myriad of wonderful cultures on the
way to the world’s greatest sporting event; the World Cup.

In partnership with Special Olympics, The Ball will visit special events at their centers throughout Africa.

These events will include games of Unified Soccer, where teams Feature athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, in the very best spirit of the game, helping to create communities of tolerance and Inclusion across the world.

Special Olympics Nigeria will organise a novelty Unified Soccer match featuring Special Olympics Nigeria soccer players and celebrity soccer players.

Partners:
Special Olympics Africa
Special Olympics Nigeria
DHL
Astro Soccer 2000
Freestyle Football Association
Spirit of Football
Search and Groom
Alive and Kicking

Venue: Astroturf 2000 Ikoyi
Date: Saturday April 10, 2010
Expected Num of Guests: Adults - 1,000

GREENSPRINGS SCHOOL DONATES TO SONIGERIA

For the first time since the inception of SONigeria in 2005, a school donated the sum of N666, 840.00 to the Organisation. Greensprings School, Anthony Lagos celebrated her 25th anniversary on the 21st of January, 2010; it thrilled her audience, parents, teachers and students to wonderful poem recitations, song renditions, dance drama presentations amongst other entertaining activities by the students of the school. The highlight of the event to Special Olympics was the presentation of a cheque donation to the organisation in recognition of the work done by SONigeria .

What a way to go!!Thanks Greensprings School. Many more years to you. Good Work Mrs. Koiki.
Special Olympics Nigeria is grateful to the staff and students of Greensprings school.