adminbetween the ages of two and seven years old.
While they will be initiating the Mattel Programme next month, Mehta said SOZ will continue appealing to stakeholders for donations in cash and kind, for other programmes for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
While Special Olympics mainly focuses on giving year round training and participation in sports for people with intellectual disabilities, the Mattel Young Athletes and Family Programme will integrate the normal children and mentally challenged children in sports events.
This is meant to build self-confidence and develop talent especially among the intellectually challenged children while encouraging tolerance from the other group.
SOZ will start by holding a conference for the targeted partners for the programme at Prince Edward where the target groups will be drawn from Harare, Chitungwiza and Mashonaland West.
Owen Makaruwa, the SOZ assistant sports director, said centres for children with special needs and schools with early childhood development classes would be targeted.
“It’s now all set for the Mattel Young Athletes and Families Programmes, whose objective is to improve the cognitive and social skills among the athletes.
“This programme is aimed at raising awareness within society on the diverse abilities and potential for children with intellectual disabilities,” he said.
Makaruwa said children would be involved in various play and learn games like throwing, catching, skipping, balancing, kicking and sliding.
“Some countries like South Africa and Malawi have already initiated this programme and it also helps to develop athletics skills among the young athletes.
“Families of the athletes are encouraged to attend and this will also be the time for families of mentally challenged athletes to network.
“So, generally the Mattel Young Athletes and Families is a unified sports programme for athletes with a sane state of the mind and those who have intellectual disabilities.
“It also serves as a preparatory platform for children with mental disabilities to be included in Special Olympics events from the age of eight,” said Makaruwa.
Under the test run, SOZ target to have identified at least 100 athletes and scores of community partners before the programme can be implemented on national scale after a review.
Online Reporter