Special Olympics Tanzania introduces Badminton, athletes react positively

DAR ES SALAAM: THE introduction of Badminton sport by Special Olympics Tanzania (SOT) has been commended by athletes with intellectual disabilities and their unified partners.

For the first time, SOT on Saturday, October 10, 2026 successfully conducted a Badminton tournament held at Nguva High School in Kigamboni subprogram – Dar es Salaam which attracted ten teams.

With funding from Gallagher, the tournament played a very important role in facilitating the spirit of inclusion which is vital for proper upbringing and national development.

Reacting after the competition, Ramadhan Nassor, an athlete with intellectual disability from Mjimwema Primary School said the coming of Badminton sport is a good thing as it helps him to stay focus.

“The sport itself is very simple to play…more importantly, it helps us to be well focused and disciplined as such, when I go back, I will encourage my friends to learn how to play Badminton,” he said.

On her part, Adija Masumbuka, a unified partner from Tungi Primary School remarked that through the tournament, she was able to establish new friendships which without the sport, they could not have met.

“For me, apart from playing this sport for the first time and liking it, I have also managed to meet new friends from other schools and I take this opportunity to thank SOT for introducing Badminton sport,” she said.

Sports Instructor Stephen Daudi noted that there is a strong need for government, private sectors and individuals to invest a lot in the promotion of Badminton sport.

“This sport needs to be played indoor meaning that enough indoor infrastructures have to be built across the country in order to train athletes well.

“Also, we need to have skilled coaches who understand everything about Badminton so that with their expertise, they can be able to produce competent Badminton players ready to represent the country in major competitions,” he said.

In a related development, SOT National Director Charles Rays revealed that following the introduction of Badminton, they now have a total of eight sporting disciples managed by SOT.

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“For us, we are happy because the number of sports disciplines under our supervision continue to go up and this is a big achievement in our mission to promote the culture of inclusion between intellectual disabled persons and unified partners.

“I also thank our sponsors Gallagher for making this tournament possible and I want to assure them that SOT will continue to promote the growth of Badminton around the country,” he said.