This Mandela -Day, Special Olympic Games Celebrates the power of partnership and sport to stimulate lasting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disorders (idd). By a targeted development of the Motor activity training program (Matp), we want to ensure that the most vulnerable in this community, athletes with in -depth intellectual and developmental disorders and high support needs, are not left behind.
Matp is an innovative special Olympics Sport program that is specifically designed to support these athletes. Via the MATP development program, the staff of the Special Olympics South Africa were trained alongside staff of Little Eden. This led to a successful partnership that started two years ago, based on a shared dedication to ensure that every person with idd has access to sports, education and holistic care.
Earlier this year, the Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. Here, Special Olympics Program -Leaders from everywhere Africa received advanced training in Matp. This training has equipped leaders with the skills and knowledge to deliver MATP sessions that are safe, adaptable and attractive for athletes at every level.
After the conference, the program companies visited Little Eden to observe practical, practical MATP sessions for residents and to work side by side with Little Eden’s Care staff. This visit was a milestone for the development of Matp in the region, so that the theory was put into practice and to ensure that program leaders could see, learn and actively participate in MATP sessions that are specially designed for the needs of Little Eden’s residents.
Mandela Day: Een inheritance of inclusion through sport
This Mandela day is celebrating Special Olympics the power of partnership and sport to stimulate lasting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disorders (idd). Thanks to a targeted development of the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), we want to ensure that the most vulnerable in this community, athletes with in -depth intellectual and developmental disorders and high support needs do not lag behind.
Little Eden’s own ‘stimulation program’ – which offers daily physical and cognitive activities for residents – clearly agrees with the goals of Matp. By combining the existing approach of Little Eden with the structured sports -based program of Special Olympics, the partnership lowers the obstacles for sport and opens the new opportunities for residents to experience movement, fitness and the joy of performance.
Elvira Rohrbeck, manager of Little Eden’s Care Center, explained:
“Stimulation is important because it is not only fun for our residents – they also work on their physical fitness and sports skills that are instrumental for their overall growth. The MATP training has given our employees new tools and ideas that they can use every day to help residents trust and build skills through sport.”
This partnership, reinforced by the support of Special Olympics International, shows how cooperation can bring Mandela’s dream of unity and equality to life. Through sport, people with and without intellectual disabilities can be part of a team, reach their personal records and know that they are being seen and appreciated.
As Nelson Mandela reminded us so powerfully:
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that does little else.”
At Mandela Day, Special Olympics honors its extraordinary inheritance by building a more inclusive world – one where every person, regardless of the ability, can belong, participate and thrive through the transforming power of sport.
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