More children join Special Olympics

Munyaradzi Chamalimba
SPECIAL Olympics Zimbabwe this week took a giant stride with the introduction of more than 30 children to athletics through the Mattel Young Athletes and Families Programme during a demonstration workshop at Tafara Community Hall in Harare recently.
A total of 32 children aged between two and seven years old with varying disabilities participated in various activities along their able-bodied peers.

The Mattel Young Athletes and Families Programme was aimed at introducing athletes from early childhood development units to sports while at the same time trying to prepare those with intellectual disabilities for Special Olympic programmes later in life.

Owen Makaruwa, the SOZ assistant sports director, said they were pleased with the positive response they received from the athletes and their families during the pilot demonstration.

“We had a quite a positive turnout because athletes and their families attended the event. In total we had 71 young athletes and from these, about 32 were intellectually challenged.

“This was a unified sporting event where we also had normal children interacting during the various motor activities,” said Makaruwa.
During the workshop, the athletes took part in kicking, throwing and catching the ball, jumping and balancing acts, walking as well as running.

“Most of these activities form the basis of many sports and it was important to impart the skills to children at a very young age.
“Special Olympics usually give sports training to athletes from the age of eight years but now the Mattel Young Programme can prepare athletes who are much younger,” said Makaruwa. – Cool Lifestyle Reporter.