By Xinhua
Shanghai : Special Olympics and world football governing body FIFA co-hosted a press conference here Sunday to announce the launch of a new global initiative for the mentally challenged.
“This initiative is supposed to expand football opportunities for players with intellectual disabilities,” Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, told prior to the bronze medal match of the women’s World Cup between Norway and the US.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, expressing his support, said: “I’m very glad to dedicate myself and FIFA to Special Olympics.”
The initiative, called Special Olympics Global Football (SOGF), aims to use the visibility and reach of the world’s most popular sport to generate greater public awareness, acceptance and respect for people with intellectual disabilities, and to raise the necessary funds to significantly expand Special Olympics football participation on every continent.
According to the chairman, Special Olympics respects the effort made by the FIFA to promote the new initiative.
“Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports programme for mentally challenged people. We provide year-round training and competition for more than 2.5 million athletes in 165 countries,” said Shriver.
“Football is one of the major sports in Special Olympics, with more than 300,000 players participating worldwide.
“Through football, we don’t say that we’re gonna change the world, but we can certainly help these individuals achieve greater things, on and off the field. In turn, they can inspire all of us with their unstoppable spirit,” he added.
FIFA has shifted its engagement to the society from simply making donations to commit more social responsibilities by raising a programme named “Football For Hope” movement, which is the key element of the strategic alliance with street football world, is actively supporting Special Olympics in 10 countries in Africa.
Through this partnership, more than 3,000 young players with intellectual disabilities are involved in football training and competition, and are given free health screening.
Several well-known football stars have already pledged their commitment to support Special Olympics Global Football, including Brazilian star striker Kaka and live legend on women’s part Kristine Lilly.