Across the globe, over 4.6 million Special Olympics athletes and unified partners worldwide benefit from sports programs shaped by the unwavering dedication of Special Olympics coaches. These coaches are the heartbeat of our movement – they are mentors, motivators and advocates for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD), helping athletes discover their strength, their voice, and their place in society. 

​

More Than Just a Trainer

To be a Special Olympics coach is to embrace a calling. It means stepping into the role of a guide, a cheerleader, and a champion for inclusion. Coaches nurture not only athletic ability but also confidence, identity, and life skills. They celebrate each athlete’s uniqueness, fostering discipline and self-belief while unlocking potential that reaches far beyond the playing field.

Through their work, coaches bridge the gap between sport and inclusion. They ensure that every athlete feels seen, heard, and respected—creating spaces where differences are embraced and belonging is the norm. Their impact is profound, and their contributions deserve recognition, especially on International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE)  Global Coaches Day, a celebration of those who cultivate acceptance and transform lives through sport.

Coach Ethel Tan: A Life With Meaning and Purpose

Coach Ethel Tan, Sports Development Specialist and Head Coach of Bocce for Special Olympics Pilipinas (Philippines) began her journey as a Unified Partner at the grade school level. Today, she plays a dual role – shaping athletes through sport and steering the development of inclusive programs that champion the future of Special Olympics in the Philippines. 

Her coaching career is deeply intertwined with Special Olympics Pilipinas athlete  Carl Jason Garcia, a six-time Special Olympics Gold Medalist in Bocce. Ethel began coaching Carl when he was just seven years old. Their partnership blossomed on the international stage, from Newcastle, Australia in 2013 to the recent Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Tournament held in New Delhi, India in 2024, where Carl took home two gold medals and one silver medal in the men’s category under her guidance.

“Persons with intellectual disabilities mean a lot to me, they are the ones who drive me to do this, helping them makes my life meaningful,” says Ethel.

Coach Ethel’s legacy goes beyond medals. She has empowered countless individuals with intellectual disabilities to grow in confidence, skill, and self-worth. Whether leading school-based training programs or supporting athletes at the World Games, Ethel is a tireless advocate for equality and inclusion. Her work exemplifies how coaching can be a vehicle for transformation – both in sport and in life.

​

Coach Keiko Inoue: Rekindling Passion Through Purpose

Keiko Inoue’s love for figure skating began in third grade and continued through university. Though she stepped away from the sport at 25, she always knew she’d return. That return came through Special Olympics Nippon (Japan), where she’s now been a coach and volunteer for over 20 years. 

Coach Keiko’s first involvement with the movement was at the National Games in Yamagata, Japan, where she started as a  sports volunteer. 

Coaching Special Olympics athletes reignited her passion and brought a sense of peace and fulfillment. She also rediscovered her love for skating which she admitted that she lost after years of gruelling training as a competitive skater.  It was spending time and having fun with the athletes on the rink that made her enjoy the sport again. 

Seeing her athletes perform well on a global stage like the World Games, fills her with immense pride. “I enjoy it a lot (coaching with Special Olympics), I’m always busy with work, but Special Olympics relaxes and calms me, that’s what I like about it, it’s healing,” she says, describing how coaching offers her balance amid the hustle and bustle of  life. 

Coach Keiko believes in the power of connection. She recalls one athlete who rarely smiled – until she started to finally smile at Coach Keiko. Small moments like these affirm the deeply personal connections coaches build with their athletes. Keiko continues to be inspired by her athletes’ achievements on the biggest stages and hopes more people will discover the joy and purpose found by volunteering with Special Olympics.  

On ICCE Global Coaches Day, we honor all extraordinary coaches who transform lives and remind us that sport is for everyone!

The post Transforming Lives: Celebrating Special Olympics Coaches appeared first on Human RACE.

Her transition from athlete to coach came with some hesitation. “I wasn’t sure about SOBD at first,” she admits, reflecting on her uncertainty about the organization and her capacity within it. Although Asia had experience growing up around family members with special needs, working with athletes with intellectual disabilities in a sports setting was entirely new to her. She was also unfamiliar with Special Olympics and had never heard of the movement before joining it.

Fortunately, she found ample resources to guide her. Her journey began with a general orientation to Special Olympics, which included an introductory course on coaching individuals with intellectual disabilities and learning specific coaching tactics. 

Asia furthered her coaching skills by earning her Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Level C diploma, in 2019 through a training co-hosted by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Special Olympics Asia Pacific (SOAP). This certification is tailored for coaches who are committed to developing and coaching youths. It equips coaches with basic coaching principles, methodologies, and processes. It also focuses on how coaches can help players develop their understanding of football, including the technical aspects of the game.

She continued to advance her training by completing her Level B diploma with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in 2020. The diploma provided her with a valuable opportunity to improve her skillsets and is designed to enhance coaching standards through a mix of theoretical, practical and assessments to ensure competency.

Her commitment towards improving her knowledge and gaining experience, along with her dedication to helping the community grow, has been evident throughout her journey.

A significant milestone in her coaching career came in 2019 when she led a team at the inaugural Special Olympic International Football Championship in Chennai, India, for the first time. Coach Asia’s work extends far beyond coaching. Before the 2023 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Berlin, SOBD organized several training camps in Dhaka. These camps, which ranged between 2 weeks to 2 months, brought together athletes from across Bangladesh and pushed both the athletes and coaches to their limits. “The athletes I’ve worked with have taught me the importance of managing my emotions by setting clear boundaries and treating each of them with respect ” she says, highlighting how this experience has shaped her coaching approach.

This close interaction fostered strong bonds within the team. They ate, trained, and spent time together, with athletes often turning to her for support. Asia even learned basic sign language to better communicate with her team, as some of her athletes are hearing-impaired. “There’s a lot of unspoken understanding on the field,” she notes. The team looks out for each other, working towards common goals.

In a culture where people with intellectual disabilities often face isolation, discrimination, and rejection, Coach Asia’s relationships with her athletes are particularly meaningful. “They don’t get enough love in our culture, and many in society still view them as a burden, but I believe they are exceptionally talented,” she says.

Coach Asia is especially proud of players like Shorna Akter, who captained the team to a gold medal at the World Games and returned to her village as a hero. Asia believes Shorna is as skilled as any professional player and emphasizes the need to change perceptions and recognize the strengths of these athletes.

Coach Asia’s dedication has also touched her family. “My husband loves these athletes, maybe even more than I do,” she shares.

Through her work at SOBD, Coach Asia Khatun Bithi exemplifies how dedication and compassion can nurture talent and create a supportive community. Her journey has given her a deeper appreciation and understanding of the importance of providing support and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

The post A Bangladesh coach’s transformative journey of dedication and inclusion appeared first on Human RACE.

When Sis-qo was just eight months old, he contracted meningitis, an infection of the membranes surrounding his brain and spinal cord. His condition was so severe that it left him on the brink of death. “We thought we lost him,” Bosco reflects.

The uncertainty surrounding Sis-qo’s recovery was daunting. Initially the prognosis looked dismal, but the little boy somehow miraculously survived. Nevertheless, the doctors cautioned that there would be long-term health complications, and his condition could lead to other severe impairments such as blindness.

Bosco and Sis-qo traveled to Melbourne for further medical evaluation where he was found to be deaf and prone to fits and seizures, explains Bosco. While the possibility of inserting a cochlear implant, a small, complex electronic device that facilitates hearing, was explored, Bosco eventually decided not to take this up. He explains that he feared the operation would further aggravate his son’s condition given the severity of his seizures. “I knew his brain is fragile so, I didn’t want them to operate on him and put something in him.”

Despite the challenges faced with Sis-qo’s health, Bosco’s focus remained on his son’s progress. Bosco first started volunteering with the Paralympics but eventually transitioned to become a coach with Special Olympics Nauru as the movement was then picking up momentum.

The transition and involvement with Special Olympics marked a new chapter of possibilities for Sis-qo who started participating in sports and competitions, with his debut international competition being held in Fiji.

Bosco shared that his son trained in various sports including running and shot put, and later transitioned to weightlifting. “He’s been doing weightlifting training since 13, then we started competing overseas.”

Sis-qo’s persistence and hard work eventually led to significant sporting achievements. At the Berlin World Games last year, he nabbed four gold medals. These wins were for deadlift, bench press, squat and combined lifts (for deadlift, bench press and squat).. “I’m very, very proud. I’m very happy for him,” Bosco beams.  

Along with the medals, participation in Special Olympics has brought Sis-qo a sense of belonging and community. “He loves them (his fellow athletes),” Bosco observes. “He knows that they’re part of him.”

Sis-qo’s victory is especially sweet, especially since Special Olympics Nauru almost did not make it to the World Games last year due to a lack of funding.

Special Olympics Asia Pacific had stepped in with a fundraising initiative to raise funds, successfully raising sufficient funds for a small delegation from Nauru to fly to Berlin to chase their dreams and compete at the World Games.

Bosco also highlights the broader need for community support and involvement for people with intellectual disabilities. “Back home, usually the government provides some funds for housing, some sports equipment and facilities,” he explains. Despite some support, Bosco identifies critical gaps. “The lack of volunteering is an issue,” he says. “There’s not enough people, if I do power training and then, track and field after that, I can’t take up more, there needs to be another coach volunteering to help with other sports.”

Drawing from his experiences at Special Olympics, Bosco hopes for a bright future for Sis-qo. “I hope he will stay in the Special Olympics and continues to enjoy his sport with his friends,” he says. Sis-qo’s future is seen not just in terms of competitive success but also in personal fulfillment.  

“He’s been looking forward to his marriage. Hopefully, when we go back, we can raise funds for it,” Bosco adds, reflecting on the next chapter of Sis-qo’s life with hope and anticipation. 

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

The post The journey of Sis-qo Cain: Through a father’s lens appeared first on Human RACE.

Her keen eye spotted the potential in both athletes, believing that they could represent Special Olympics Fiji at the 2023 Berlin World Games.

The prospect of competing in an unfamiliar sport in the Games was daunting. Badminton itself was a completely new sport for Teresia and Vuetasau. There was also a lack of professional sporting facilities or major competitions for athletes with ID in Fiji. Yet, Tagici’s dedication and trust in her athletes shone through.

“This is a first-time experience for them to have such a competition,” Tagici explained. “We don’t have competitions such as this. We just play amongst ourselves. And badminton is not a well-known sport either back in Fiji.”

“I train them on how to hold a racquet, how to play with a shuttle, how to serve. Those are little steps, unlike other countries where they are well familiar with badminton rules, here we are learning the rules as we go by,” she continued.

Tagici’s commitment went beyond coaching techniques. To facilitate twice-daily training and transportation challenges, Teresia and Vuetasau lived and trained intensively at her house for the last three months before the games. This shared living fostered a close-knit family bond in the lead-up to the games.

The journey to the games led to many firsts for both athletes. For instance, it was their first time to Berlin.

“It’s an honor to be here and we are very much privileged, happy and excited to participate in the World Games… this is a new experience altogether,” Tagici said. “Playing in such a competition at this higher level with other teams from other countries. It’s been a learning experience for us.”

In the face of challenges, Tagici’s belief in her athletes’ grit and talent paid off. Their improvement was evident. Tagici reminds wider society that ultimately, inclusion needs to be holistic. While the World Games has been good exposure for people with ID, she stresses that inclusive behavior needs to be practiced widely in our daily lives, beyond just sports and competitions. “Some parts of society just leave them at home and don’t include them. Inclusion is for everybody.”

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

The post To serve with love: A Fiji coach’s story appeared first on Human RACE.

Nigel’s athletic abilities were clear from the start. He took part in many sporting events in school and was soon offered an opportunity to represent New Zealand in high jump, at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, held at Minneapolis-St Paul, USA in 1991. Nigel has never competed before in this sport, but that did not deter him.

He trained hard and secured a gold medal in the high jump and a silver in the 1500 meters. These victories marked a turning point in his life, igniting a passion for competition that would carry him far beyond the athletic field.

Upon returning home, Nigel continued to excel, venturing into other competitions across New Zealand, particularly half marathons, where he clinched two victories and achieved an impressive personal best time of one hour and 12 minutes. As his athletic career evolved, so did his desire to give back to the community that had nurtured his spirits, so, at the age of 20, after he found a good job, Nigel also volunteered to be a fireman.

Nigel shares, “I wanted to give back to SO New Zealand all of what they had given me in my time as an athlete. I also want to share my knowledge that I have with other coaches and athletes wanting to follow my path. I feel it is all about giving back as I have done with the Volunteer Fire Service. They made it possible for me to attend the World Summer Games in 1991, so I joined the fire service when I was old enough to give back to the community who supported me.”

Nigel’s transition from athlete to coach was a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite doubts from others, he embraced this new role wholeheartedly. Armed with a dedication to learning, Nigel obtained coaching qualifications, absorbed coaching strategies, and designed training programs to shape his athletes into the best versions of themselves.

In 2019, Nigel was appointed as an athletics coach for the Special Olympics New Zealand team at the World Games in the UAE. This marked the fulfilment of a dream he had since his days as an athlete and was a finalist at the 2019 Altitude Award in Auckland. His passion for coaching only grew stronger, culminating in another appointment as an athletics coach for the 2023 World Games team in Berlin.

This achievement was made even more special as Nigel’s niece, Melissa, was competing as an athlete. Nigel’s dedication to coaching transcended mere training; it involved building bonds with his athletes, a connection that united them in their pursuit of excellence.

As a coach, Nigel faced challenges head-on, managing athletes spread across New Zealand, guiding them remotely, and shaping their training regimens. Despite the lack of physical proximity, his unwavering support and guidance kept the athletes motivated and prepared for the grand stage of the World Games. His leadership and mentorship have not only propelled athletes to achieve their personal bests but have also inspired them to dream without limits.

When asked what he wanted his athletes to take away from their experience, Nigel responded, “That it was a happy and joyful time and that they did their best regardless of them winning or losing. Also, that they know how proud we are of them no matter what.”

Nigel’s journey from school athlete to gold medalist and national coach on the world stage is a story of triumph over adversity. His evolution reflects his unyielding determination to give back, to inspire, and to break barriers for himself and others, proving that the human spirit knows no limits, and with dedication and belief, remarkable achievements are within reach. Subscribe to follow Nigel’s story as he joins thousands of #DreamChasers around Asia Pacific on Human Race, our storytelling platform.

The post From Athlete to Coach – A Dream Chasing Story Spanning 40 Years appeared first on Human RACE.

Growing up with intellectual disability

When I was 2, I was diagnosed with microcephaly, a condition which affected the growth of my brain. My head was smaller in size compared to other babies. The condition delayed my cognitive and physical progress and left me with permanent developmental disabilities.  

Growing up, I struggled to clock the milestones most other kids did. I could barely speak and struggled to communicate my thoughts. It was tough getting me a place in a mainstream school. My parents enrolled me in a special school for children with intellectual disabilities. Although I was slower than others in learning certain tasks, I had a gift when it came to sports. My dad noticed my sporting abilities as he watched me play with my cousins every day. It sparked an idea.

The opportunity came when my dad learnt about Special Olympics in India at a local event one day. I was 9. I joined the badminton program, and I’ve not looked back since. That one decision defined my entire life and has made me who I am today.  

“Keshav’s learning comes 100% from sports. I feel so proud of him, he’s truly special. From everything that contributed to his personality and standing in society, Special Olympics reigns the highest. A platform for the most marginalized population! The impact of sport can be observed in everything Keshav does.”

 – Mr. Kultar Malik, Keshav’s father.

From following others’ footsteps to carving my own path, from repeating people’s sentences to finding my own voice, I have come a long way.

A passion that took him places

In 2011, I represented India in badminton at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens and returned with gold and silver medals. It was an amazing experience and honor to be on the world stage. My achievements were recognized nationally. I became  the first athlete with special needs to receive the Bhim Award, the highest sports honor given by the government of Haryana, India for “outstanding performance in national and international competitions.” It paved the way for bigger things. In 2018, I was among the first persons with disabilities to be employed by the Haryana State Government as a sports coach, a position reserved for persons with exceptional sporting talent and performance.

Sports has completely changed my life. It instilled in me discipline and focus, which I now apply to my daily living. It taught me to manage my time effectively and gave me the confidence to find my voice and vision. Today, I try my best to enable my students to turn their passion into reality. Beyond just being their sports coach, I strive to be their mentor and pillar of support. I pass on my learnings and experiences and talk to them about everything, from discipline and safety to respect for elders. I want them to know that there is no challenge too difficult to overcome. Shut out the naysayers and be fearless in pursuing your dreams!

Your support empowers thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities like Keshav to make their dreams a reality, and bring pride and hope to their communities. Take action here and join us in creating a truly inclusive world for all!

The post Be Fearless, Be Limitless appeared first on Human RACE.

It was 2016, a year after Team Fiji had taken home eight medals from the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles. Molly was one of six athletes who had represented Fiji in athletics, winning two gold medals and a silver.

I had the privilege of coaching the team, sharing in their accomplishments and joy at those Games. I was thankful to have been a part of Molly’s journey, watching her grow from a shy child to a confident sports star.

Athletes like Molly have made my personal journey with the Special Olympics movement, which began in 2014, an unforgettable one. I work as a teacher in a special education school, and I love sports. Serving as a volunteer coach for athletes with intellectual disabilities was the perfect fit for me.

Building a bond with these special children takes time, patience and effort. As a teacher and coach, I try to find creative ways to help them learn by conducting my lessons outdoors, and using games to capture their attention. But once you have their trust, it’s impossible to turn your back on them. I have grown so attached to all my students and athletes, I feel like their big brother. Even when I’m going away for just a week or two, I get hugs from all of them asking me not to leave.

We are fortunate to have a fairly inclusive culture in Fiji. Whenever we organize unified football matches, bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same team, the community is supportive and everyone has a good time.

But sometimes, the difficulty lies in helping parents understand that they cannot keep their children hidden at home all the time. Parents tend to be over-protective and fear that their children will not be able to cope, that they will be a burden to the community, or that they may hurt themselves.

We must help parents understand that growth is often uncomfortable, messy, and full of challenges we weren’t expecting. But if we play small, we stay small. And the responsibility lies with each and every one of us, to lend our support and be inclusive towards our friends with disabilities, so that we can all grow as a society.

Personally, as a sportsman, I do not feel that I have achieved my fullest potential. But as a coach, witnessing the accomplishments of our athletes and knowing that I had played a role in their success, is enough for me. Through them, I have achieved my dreams.

The post If we play small, we stay small appeared first on Human RACE.

From a young age, Jack enjoyed spending time with Special Olympics athletes and other volunteers who always made him feel included and welcomed. These experiences fostered Jack’s belief in the power of sports to promote inclusion, where every individual is able to participate in a sport or activity they enjoy. Following his mother’s footsteps, Jack is now an official Special Olympics coach for swimming and basketball since 2015.

In acknowledgement of his leadership potential that extends beyond sports, Jack was selected to represent Special Olympics New Zealand at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Youth for Inclusion Summit in 2019. The Summit has reinforced his firm desire to spread awareness on intellectual disability and inclusion.

The post Jack Green appeared first on Human RACE.

In 2017, she also became an assistant coach in basketball. In high school, she was the first person with autism to perform in the school’s wind band and compete in the school’s basketball team. Grace has also been trained as an Athlete Leader since 2017.

Outside of Special Olympics, Grace is currently studying Early Childhood Education level 4 as she would like to become a teacher for children with and without intellectual disabilities. Being involved with Special Olympics has given her opportunities to experience inclusion in her community and form lasting friendships. During her term as the co-chair of the Regional Athlete Input Council, Grace hopes to see greater inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.

The post Grace Payne appeared first on Human RACE.

In 2017, Dacki was offered a scholarship to be trained in the Visual Graphic Design field, and is now a licensed Visual Graphic Designer. He has been actively engaged with Special Olympics Philippines for the past 14 years, and served as a member of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Youth Input Council 2018-2019.

As a champion of inclusive employment, Dacki was a speaker on the topic of ‘Increasing Post-School Opportunities’ and was part of the organising committee member of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Youth for Inclusion summit 2019. He also sits on Plan International’s Youth Advisory Panel, funded by the Youth Employment Funders Group. Dacki has been employed as a Human Resources (Recruitment) professional at a multi-national company since February 2018.

The post Carmelo Sebastian (Dacki) Sandiego appeared first on Human RACE.