The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) on Wednesday, November 13, launched a month-long campaign aimed at fighting discrimination against children with intellectual disabilities in sports ecosystem. Boccia bests suits para-athletes with intellectual disabilities and the initiative seeks to raise awareness for children’s right to participate in the sport. ALSO READ: Musanze retains Boccia championship The campaign targets children with intellectual disabilities from both Bugesera and Huye districts. Certified coaches will train them in Boccia so they can excel in the sport. During the campaign, NPC Rwanda aims to use Boccia as a tool for advocacy, demonstrating that these children are capable of actively participating in sports like any other children. ALSO READ: NPC hosts international training course for Boccia Sport Bugesera and Huye joined the National Boccia Championship this year but NPC established that some parents are still reluctant to let children with intellectual disability participate in the competitions, prompting the body to make the two district as their main target of the campaign. In August and early September, NPC Rwanda, supported by UNICEF Rwanda, selected best performers from the two districts to undergo further training in Boccia. They are now representing their respective districts at the national Boccia championship which kicked off October. During the campaign, parents and communities are reminded that children with intellectual disabilities deserve equal rights, including access to sports and recreation. According to NPC Rwanda Technical Director Jean Marie Vianney Nsengiyumva, the campaign serves as a reminder about the importance of treating these children as individuals with rights rather than setting limitations to the rights. “Our goal today is advocacy,” Nsengiyumva explained. “We want people to stop seeing these children as incapable and recognize that they, too, have the right to play. It’s heartbreaking when a child is seen as incapable, yet they can set and achieve goals. With UNICEF’s support, we are expanding boccia to more districts.” A friendly match was organized during the opening of the campaign to assess the children’s progress in Boccia and Huye District’s team emerged victorious, beating Bugesera 16-10. Nsengiyumva was impressed by the children’s progress, noting their growing familiarity with the game and their potential to thrive. “Their improvement is remarkable. I was pleasantly surprised by how much they have advanced,” he said. During the opening event, parents were encouraged to bring children with intellectual disabilities into the community instead of hiding them away. “These children are like any others, celebrating their successes and setting personal goals. We hope to see more people supporting them,” Nsengiyumva added. The campaign will continue in Huye District on November 20, with a similar event scheduled again in Bugesera on November 27. NPC Rwanda introduced a Boccia championship in the country in 2016, aiming to create an inclusive sporting environment for those with diverse disabilities. About Boccia Boccia is a precision ball sport designed specifically for athletes with severe physical disabilities, particularly those with conditions affecting motor skills like cerebral palsy. It is similar to sports like bocce or lawn bowling but has unique rules and equipment adapted for players with limited mobility. Boccia became a Paralympic sport in 1984 and remains a popular event. It emphasizes precision, strategy, and concentration rather than physical strength, making it accessible for individuals with limited mobility.
