The Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) has signed a three year partnership with Special Olympics Rwanda to launch their commitment to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the country.

The partnership was signed on Saturday by Minister Julienne Uwacu and Charles Nyambe, the vice president of operations for Special Olympics in Africa, at the Ministry headquarters at Amahoro national stadium in Remera.

The joint venture is aimed at expanding opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in the areas of sports, education and health.

It is also aimed to increase awareness about the importance and benefit of inclusion of all citizens in the society hence ensuring equal access to all persons with intellectual disabilities to social protection, services and economic opportunities.

"This new partnership with Special Olympics Rwanda offers the government the opportunity to publicly re-affirm our commitment to ensuring that even the most marginalized of those with disabilities are included and respected in all aspects of life in our country,” Uwacu said after the signing ceremony.

On his part, Nyambe revealed that Special Olympics Africa are thrilled to bring Special Olympic Unified Sports to Rwanda, disclosing that it will help change the perception that exist for people with intellectual disabilities.

He said that: "Special Olympics which has programs in nearly 170 countries is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experience.” 

"Unified sports join people with or without intellectual disabilities on the same team and playing field to promote both gender equality and social inclusion,” he added.

Special Olympics International provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities hence giving them physical fitness, courage and create friendship.

Special Olympics Rwanda was founded in 2002 and currently reaches nearly 1500 with intellectual disabilities around the country through six sports disciplines namely; football, aquatics, athletics, table tennis, basketball and volleyball.

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