Athletes to use Special Olympics Tanzania National Games as rehearsal for World Summer Games
DAR ES SALAAM: AROUND 400 athletes and 80 coaches from 32 Subprograms are expected to participate at the Special Olympics Tanzania National Games 2026 set from December 9 to 11 in Tabora region.
This event is also going to be used as a platform for competent intellectual disabled athletes to scale up their performance ahead of the 2027 World Summer Games to be staged in Santiago, Chile in October.
However, three sporting disciplines namely football, athletics and volleyball will be featured during the upcoming national games rhat provides an opportunity for persons with intellectual disabilities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience, joy, skills and establish friendship.
In his recent remarks in Dar es Salaam, Special Olympics Tanzania (SOT) National Director Charles Rays said preparations for the games are at advanced stage.
“These games are done as part of abiding Special Olympics mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympics type of sports for persons with intellectual disabilities.
“Similarly, the same platform is used to select athletes with potential to represent Tanzania at the World Games as well as celebrating abilities of persons with intellectual disabilities,” Rays said.
He added that the National Games also enhances public awareness towards persons with intellectual disabilities, positive experience for families and other supporters, skill promotion and adaptation of olympic atmosphere.
Commenting on what message this year’s National Games is carrying to the world, he replied that “We are strong together” (unite towards a common goal, achieve more than they could individually).
“At Special Olympics, we believe that when athletes, coaches, families and supporters unite, they can create more opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities,” he said.
Furthermore, the SOT boss encouraged all Subprograms available in the country to prepare well their athletes so that they demonstrate a competitive spirit throughout the games.
