Grassroots sports development needs inclusiveness – SOM, MNCS

Special Olympics Malawi (SOM) is optimistic that inclusiveness in sports among young people can play a major role in grassroots sports development.

Speaking during an event organised at the Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC) on Monday, SOM national coordinator Enid Mauluka lamented that there is a lot of discrimination against intellectual children with disabilities hence the need for sports activities that include them with any person.

“Such games allow children with disabilities to interact with their peers thereby promoting inclusiveness,” Mauluka explained.

Under the SOM partnership with the crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in a deal worth K100 million for the program, various primary school athletes participated in various sporting activities at the Blantyre Youth Centre which aimed to impart reasoning skills among others.

Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) chief executive officer Henry Kamata expressed satisfaction with the performances that was on display at the BYC.

He said: “We understand the importance of bringing together students who have both intellectual and physical disabilities and the abled community aimed at promoting inclusiveness.”

The event attracted athletes from across the southern region.