Special Olympics Rwanda celebrated its annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day, The worldwide celebration in memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics movement. The event took place in Rulindo district with Athletes playing unified games.
September 2, 2022 – Rusiga sector in Rulindo district, the Special Olympics Rwanda organized an eventful sports day to celebrate and honor the life of the woman who founded the movement that empowers people with and without intellectual disabilities to live in a unified society, Eunice Kennedy Shriver
A day was marked by various sports activities including athletics and football which brought together students with and without intellectual disabilities at GS Rukingu. The cells tournament in football was also concluded where Bukoro defeated Kirenge to lift the trophy following a narrow win on penalties (3-2) as 90 minutes ended in a goalless draw.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Special Olympics Rwanda, Pastor Deus Sangwa honored the legacy of Eunice Shriver and spoke out on how special the day is to remember her passing.
He said “Today is a very special day for Special Olympics on a global scale, more special in Africa, though in Rwanda we value it and celebrate in a very distinctive way since we celebrate Eunice Shriver’s legendary, the Special Olympics founder”
He continued by mentioning that Special Olympics Rwanda promotes inclusive sports and education for all and the will to continue collaborating with the Rulindo district to encourage inclusive education, love for the sport, and being active in general.
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The SOR chairman concluded by passing a message to make society more inclusive for people with intellectual disabilities.
“We continue to encourage parents, relatives, and families not to exclude children with intellectual disabilities from their families and schools. They have to come out of solitude and joined others. That was the main idea of Eunice Shriver.”
“People with intellectual disabilities have to be free of all hindrances. In our country no one should be excluded from sports or entertainment” Chairman Sangwa said.
Special Olympics Rwanda is a non-governmental organization affiliated with Special Olympics International in 2003 with a mission to provide year-round sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience, joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
