Harnessing the Role of Sport to Promote the Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Nigeria

Just like a bolt out of the blues, so is the Special Cup Competition organised by UNESCO, in collaboration with 5Stars Football and Consultancy from 9-10th July 2021.

Approximately 100 participants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including internally displaced youth and people with disabilities, participated in traditional sports, football, racing, basketball and table tennis.

The 2-day event tagged UNESCO Special Cup for Internally Displaced Persons & Persons with Disabilities in Nigeria proved that indeed sports is a powerful tool for strengthening the foundations of more inclusive and healthy societies. The event is highly relevant for creating strong social bonds, networks, and promoting ideals of solidarity, tolerance, respect and justice.

The activity served as another great avenue for promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which is also a guiding framework for implementing the SDGs, with the overarching principle of 'leave no one behind.'

The event kicked off with a sports/coaching clinic on the first day to strengthen the capacity of coaches working with disabled sportsmen and women to engage better and deliver in their mandate. It was also an opportunity to sensitize coaches on the need to promote traditional sports and games and introducing such to their athletes.

Day 2 of the event saw the kick-off of the competition proper with an exhibition game called 'Baram Traditional Sport' followed by Para soccer, which was won by #TeamMouktar down to track and field events that saw participants taking part in different sporting activities like Football for IDPs, Athletics, Para athletics, Para weightlifting, Para table tennis, Discus and Javelin.

Through this laudable initiative, talents were discovered, and unimaginable sports were showcased, encouraging more disabled communities to become more engaged in sport. There is no doubt that this event will go a long way in eradicating discrimination against people with disabilities, as they now add value to the society. Just as sport speaks unity, this event also hopes to unite the participants and their communities, which will further improve the security situation of Nigeria.