Foundation seeks inclusion of children with disabilities in sports

In commemoration of the International Day of Persons with disabilities, the Raising Star Africa Foundation (RSAF) has called for inclusion of children with disabilities in sports.

The foundation made this call at the SPORT FEST 3.0, an advocacy event aimed at showcasing the abilities and potential of children with disabilities. It was organised by RSAF in partnership with Nestlé Milo.

The event themed: “Play Without Barriers” was held in Lagos. It brought together 210 students from seven schools across Lagos State, creating a platform that celebrated inclusion and demonstrated the transformative power of sports.

The festival featured a range of activities tailored to participants’ diverse abilities, including wheelchair basketball, volleyball, football, relay races, and skill-based games like “fill-the-bottle” and “picking-the-balls.”

These activities underscored the message that every child, regardless of their abilities, has a place in sports and society.

Students were divided into houses with symbolic names such as Equity House, Inclusion House, and Ability House, each representing the event’s mission to advocate for equity, empathy, and independence for persons with disabilities. Sports Marketing Manager, Nestle Milo, Mrs Funmilola Oyewole, emphasised the importance of sports as a driver of social change.

“Sports teach resilience, teamwork, and courage qualities that children with disabilities embody every day,” she said.    Deputy Public Affairs Officer, United States Consulate General, Lagos, Amanda Roach Brown, highlighted the global need for inclusive opportunities in education and sports.

Founder, RSAF, Michael Showunmi, urging students to embrace courage and defy societal barriers, explained that playing without barriers means creating a world where every child can thrive without limitations and fulfill their potential.

At the end of the event, Special House emerged the overall winner, while Independent House and House of Courage secured second and third positions, in that order.