GIZ partners Special Olympics

GIZ’s Sport for Development in Africa ( SD4A) and the Special Olympics Africa Region have signed a partnership agreement to collaborate in inclusive sports for development project activities in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Senegal.

This agreement will establish a partnership to promote development perspectives for children and youth through sport in Africa.

The partnership focuses on the provision of technical expertise in the development of policies, curricula and coaching materials regarding sport for development, safeguarding in sport, mental health and inclusion.

Additionally, it includes capacity building of technical sports personnel and administrators in S4D, safeguarding in sport, mental health and inclusion.

Another aspect is enhancing close cooperation with other local and international organisations, including governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, federations, civil-society organisations, private sector actors advocating for S4D, unified sports and disability inclusion in sports.

They also intend to exchange best practices to facilitate networking and partnerships.

Half of Africa’s 1,2 billion population is under the age of 25. For this young generation to be a driver of sustainable development, it needs peace, access to education and prospects.

Sport has proven to be an effective means to promote education, peace, violence prevention, gender equality, and health. Young people engaging in sport acquire important life skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership.

These skills increase their confidence, and better qualify them for the labour market.

The deal gives renewed hope to athletes with intellectual disabilities for a more inclusive world, said Special Olympics Senegal athlete Mouhamadou Alcaly Diouf.

“I am pleased to join this opportunity today. People with intellectual disabilities have always been excluded, in Africa more than in other parts of the world. Covid-19 has increased these challenges,” he said.

The agreement will see activities deployed in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Senegal where projects will be rolled out at a grassroots level locally as well as regionally and nationally. This is aimed to boost engagement and participation in sporting activities in all its forms as well as through the creation of safe and secure sporting facilities and venues that will safeguard all children engaged in sport at whatever levels.

“This partnership will help remove some of the barriers we face. Africa is known for its Ubuntu spirit. I believe that by inclusion, we will have more impact. Special Olympics made me who I am today. If other partners like GIZ join us then our hope for an inclusive world is kept alive,” said Diouf.

Namibia’s Charles Nyambe, who doubles as president and managing director of Special Olympics Africa Region, echoed Diouf’s sentiment.

“In the Africa Region, the Special Olympics work revolves around the cultivation of youth leadership, because each youth advocate and leader is a step towards the inclusion Revolution,” explained Nyambe.

“This partnership with SD4A will strengthen and enhance our capacity to stimulate and cultivate sports engagement in Africa.

It will also allow the Special Olympics Unified Schools programming on its mission to change attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities, as well as preparing today’s youth for a diverse and dynamic global landscape.”

Thomas Levin of GIZ added: “The joining of forces for the inclusion revolution is essential. We can only truly succeed once everyone has an ‘inclusive mindset’ in their everyday life! This is what we will be working towards and I for one cannot wait.”