Special Olympics Angola is the newest program in the African regionfounded in 2022, but is making huge strides as it expands its reach and partnerships. Under the able leadership of chairman Jean-Jacques Nzadi Conceição, the former professional basketball player and FIBA Hall of Famer, the program has ramped up activities and nearly doubled the number of athletes last year to 1,363. And they continue this momentum through an innovative partnership with Manchester City and global appliance group Midea.
The initiative’s main goal is to create healthier, happier and more connected communities around the world. To do this, Manchester City and Midea are launching this project in five countries with an exclusive list of community partners including Special Olympic Games Angola in the city of Luanda.
Midea donates resources and household appliances that will transform a community center and football center into a safe and inclusive environment. The concept is to create an enhanced space that serves as a meeting point for young people to come together and participate in football education, explore their leadership skills and have direct access to resources that support their physical and mental well-being.
This has great similarities with the mission of Special Olympics. That’s why Manchester City’s charity, City in the Community, looked to the local program in Angola. City in the Community aims to partner with young leaders from Special Olympics Angola to join their global network to improve the health of young people in their local communities. Tom Pitchon, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at City Football Group, said: “Through this partnership we are using football and Midea products to improve the lives of young people around the world.
“The community football projects we support provide young people in cities around the world with a home away from home, while promoting health, life skills, self-confidence, new friendships and leadership opportunities.”
This partnership marks another major step by Special Olympics Angola, who were among the first programs to officially join the program Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusionunder Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable Rui Luís Falcão Pinto de Andrade. This partnership aims to transform the education and sports landscape for 3,085 young people in 128 schools across the country, including young people with intellectual disabilities. Over the next three years, more than 200 teachers will receive specialized training to ensure inclusive practices are implemented effectively.
As Special Olympics Angola continues to develop, the program will send an observer delegation as they participate for the first time United Basketball World Cup 3×3 in Puerto Rico, from December 3 to 7, in the hope of one day hosting this global event.
To read more and watch a video with Special Olympics Angola, visit Manchester City’s website here: City and Midea are launching a new community football initiative across Africa
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