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NEWSLETTER JULY 2021

Dear Friends,

I am an avid football (soccer) fan and over the last month set myself to watching almost every game of the European Championships, charting England’s journey through the tournament with absolute joy. England lost at the final hurdle and football did not ‘come home’. I have been left distraught but it isn’t the defeat that has left me so upset. It is the ugly, racist aftermath. This England squad went in to this tournament with a selfless, shared sense of purpose and unity that was captured in their exemplary behavior both on and off the field. Unfortunately, as the team fell at the last hurdle, so-called fans seemed to lose much more than just the match. They lost their senses, their respect for what the team stood for, and most of all, their humanity. For everything that football can do, “to tackle all forms of discrimination – on and off-the-pitch”, the glory of what was a wonderful demonstration of strength through diversity was lost.

Last week, I had the opportunity to deliver a training workshop that focused on asking each member of my team to reflect on their behaviours and look closely at the mindset with which they have approached their work.

As I still sit and reflect on the aftermath of the Cup Final, I think about the mindset of those that have hurled such disgusting insults at these young players who were brave in their attempt to represent their country. What is it that makes them react this way?

I feel it is important for me to state the obvious: there is no room for this behaviour – not in sport and not anywhere.

Those that have participated in any such activity should be identified and punished. But we also know that racism persists; all we have ever ended up doing is asking these people to “crawl back under the rocks”. The hate and prejudice remains and evades destruction. If we want to foster inclusion on any grounds, we can’t just focus on punishing bad behaviour, we have to invest in promoting inclusive behaviour. We need proactive action to foster not only tolerance but more positive attitudes and an inclusive mindset.

In my view, Special Olympics does this. We use sport to bring people together and to find ways to celebrate difference. We create an environment that makes people eager to be mindful of others and for everyone to see the very clear benefits and rewards of that approach.

In this month’s newsletter, we celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of our founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver #EKS100. Mrs Shriver’s vision of a world where we focus on people’s abilities rather than any disabilities, where we celebrate difference rather than shrink from it is as relevant today as it was 53 years ago when she challenged the world to acknowledge people with intellectual disabilities at the first ever Special Olympics Games.

Today we also launch our latest campaign #WalkforInclusion focusing on Young Athletes.

For every large milestone we hit, may we also celebrate the many small milestones. For every step forward we take, brings us close to a world we are proud to be in – one that celebrates every life and our humanity.

May we continue to change the game and we hope you enjoy the read.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Dipak Natali
President & Managing Director
Special Olympics Asia Pacific

HIGHLIGHTS

SOAP LAUNCHES #WALKFORINCLUSION

Special Olympics Asia Pacific launches an awareness and fundraising campaign centred around Young Athletes. The campaign will launch on 20 July, on Global Week of Inclusion, and run for 6 months till the end of 2021. With each step symbolizing the key milestones of children with and without intellectual disabilities, the campaign invites the public to step into the shoes of our Young Athletes and celebrate their every achievement.

The microsite (https://humanrace.asia/walkforinclusion) pulls together stories of resilience and grit of young athletes, families and coaches across Asia-Pacific, alongside a digital counter - where every video uploaded, page load, walks and runs in support of #WalkforInclusion will be counted and added to the total steps. The public is encouraged to also play the #WalkforInclusion AR Filter game and donate towards the cause.

SOAP ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

2020 was the year the world caught a glimpse and finally understood the isolation faced by the people with intellectual disabilities. However our goal of leveraging on the power of sport to bringing them outdoors, help them get active, gain confidence and interact with the community hasn’t changed.

 

Everyone learnt to adapt despite our challenges. Being resilient and creative - activities started sprouting organically online – and these values we’ve learnt from our athletes.

Find out all about these activities, learn ways in which you can be involved with Special Olympics be inspired by people in our movement and more in our latest annual report.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CELEBRATES

FOUNDER'S CENTENNIAL

The Special Olympics movement celebrates Eunice Kennedy's Shriver life and legacy for what would have been her 100th birthday on July 10, 2021.

 

"A lot of people think of the Special Olympics as 'nice,' " says Kathleen Shriver grand daughter of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, on a feature with People magazine , "What my grandma was fighting for wasn't a movement about being sweet — it was about changing society."

 

Shriver believed that if people with intellectual disabilities were given the same opportunities and experiences as everyone else, they could accomplish far more than anyone ever thought possible.

SO MALDIVES LAUNCHES

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

In collaboration with Eyecare Opticals and Master Dental Care Centre, Special Olympics Maldives athletes will now have access to quality health screenings and follow-up care like free eye screenings as well as dental care.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF ROARING SUPPORT FROM LIONS

Earlier this month, Special Olympics celebrated the 20th anniversary of partnership between Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International Foundation. From supporting the Opening Eyes program to creating Champions Lions Clubs for our athletes, this partnership has improved the lives of people with intellectual disabilities across the globe.

SO BHUTAN CELEBRATES #INTERNATIONALDAYOFYOGA

Special Olympics Bhutan athletes from the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children & Youth took part in a International Day of Yoga event recently which was graced by Her Excellency, the Ambassador of India in Bhutan (Embassy of India, Thimphu), Ms Ruchira Kamboj. Prizes were presented to all participating athletes.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR

SO SAMOA ATHLETES

Sili Ah Ching is the first athlete from Special Olympics Samoa, SOS to be hired as an intern at the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development in Samoa, paving the way for more training and employment opportunities for young people with intellectual disabilities in the country.

The internship program equips young people with disabilities, with vital skills for employment; and is supported by the Samoa Disability Partnerships Program. Sili has since completed his internship and now helps Special Olympics Samoa, on an ad-hoc basis with administrative tasks.

RESOURCES

SPECIAL OLYMPICS LAUNCHES EKS 100

TO CELEBRATE LIFE & LEGACY OF FOUNDER

Special Olympics celebrates the life and legacy of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver with EKS 100 -  content and assets like memoirs, calendars, photographs and graphics have created for sharing.

COUNTDOWN TO #SOKAZAN2022

In less than 200 days, Special Olympics World Winter Games 2022 will be held in Kazan.

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