Among these athletes were two young men from Special Olympics Indonesia, Alif Dafa Maulana, a 20-year-old athlete with intellectual disabilities (ID) from Surakarta, Central Java, and his unified partner, Evelino Dilam (Lino), also 20, from the highlands of Pegunungan Bintang, Papua.

Unified Sports® brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) through sport and competitions to help drive social inclusion, foster meaningful friendships, build mutual understanding and connect in ways they might not otherwise. Together, unified pairs celebrate each other’s strengths and showcase the impact of inclusion, both on and off the field.

Growing up, Alif felt that he lacked direction in his life. While attending a mainstream school, he witnessed others being bullied, and this had a knock-on effect of wearing down his confidence, even when he was not the target.

At 17, Alif eventually transitioned to a special needs school and recalled feeling extremely anxious as he was worried his disability might embarrass his family. However, it was in school that he discovered a passion for football, and with it, a renewed sense of purpose.

His unified partner, Lino, enjoyed staying active. Growing up, he would head into the jungle with makeshift catapults and bows to hunt birds. Later, he joined a football club in Semarang, where he first learned about Special Olympic Indonesia’s club outreach program and was eventually given the opportunity to take part in the Special Olympics South Asia Unified Football Competition as a unified partner.

While excited to compete outside of his home country, Lino admitted to feeling apprehensive as he had little experience working with people with ID.  “I was a little nervous, mostly about how we would communicate (with Alif) during the game.” Thankfully, Alif’s easygoing nature and openness quickly put Lino at ease, and they quickly bonded at the training center. 

For Alif, seeing Lino’s familiar features, reminiscent of a friend from Papua New Guinea, was comforting. This familiarity likely contributed to Alif’s instant trust in Lino and his decision to choose him as a partner. Alif affectionately calls him “kakak” (older brother), and Lino admires Alif’s joyful personality, saying, “every day, he makes me smile and laugh.”

Through unified sports, Alif found a safe space to build his self-confidence. The partnership has been transformative for both young men.

For Alif, being part of a unified pair with Lino meant having someone to rely on and confide in, a teammate who understood his journey and supported him unconditionally. Reflecting on their time together, Alif shared that Lino’s patience and adaptability were essential to his comfort on the field. “A good, unified partner is one who can communicate well and has the patience to face athletes like me,” he said. On the flip side, Lino said, “Alif showed me that having patience and understanding is important, not just in sports but in life.” 

Alif’s self-esteem blossomed as he developed a stronger sense of self-reliance and independence. “These skills will help him to play sports better, as he becomes more confident and independent,” Lino noted. “He’ll also be able to help more at home, making his parents proud and sharing his experiences with his friends and peers.”

The competition itself was more than just a sports event, it was an opportunity to bring to life the values of inclusion, unity, and mutual respect. In addition to sports, complimentary health screenings that focused on eye health, dentistry, and nutrition, reinforcing a holistic commitment by Special Olympics Asia Pacific to inclusive health and well-being for people with intellectual disabilities.

As Alif and Lino’s friendship blossomed, so did their passion to advocate for others with intellectual disabilities. “We want people to know that athletes like us have strengths too,” Alif shared. Lino added, “I want to share my experience playing with athletes with ID to show others that it’s possible to work together, have fun, and learn. They’re not just good teammates—they’re good people.”

The friendship between the two boys is a reminder that inclusion is not just a goal but an ongoing journey—one that transforms lives, bridges perceived differences, and connects people from across all walks of life.

To know more, follow @humanraceasia and @soasiapacific.

The post Beyond the Game: Alif and Lino’s Journey in Unity  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.

He’s going to find out, who’s naughty or nice, 

Santa Claus is coming to town! 🎵 

This giving season, meet these Special Olympics young athletes we feel deserve to make it to the top of Santa’s ‘Nice List’:  

1.  Fahsai – The Resilient 

Fahsai was born with Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart. Due to her poor health, she stayed home most of the time. While the kids in the neighborhood played, she could only watch quietly by the sidelines. But things changed when she joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. Her health gradually improved, and she found the confidence to make friends and take part in sports. Fahsai was recently selected to be a drum major at her school. She has also been helping her parents with chores at a fishball stall on weekends to supplement their household income. Giving up has never been an option for this gutsy 11-year-old!  

“My heart, my mind and spirit are strong. Nobody can stop me!” 

2. Prarry: The Courageous 

Meet Praetara Inthichit, lovingly called Prarry. She has Down Syndrome and is partially blind. When she was younger, she feared doing anything on her own and depended on her family to carry out even the smallest of tasks. She was shy and refrained from interacting with people and making friends. After her father found out about the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, her family encouraged her to go outside and play games with the children in her neighborhood. Now, she’s found the courage to step out of her comfort zone, and is no longer afraid to make friends and take on tasks.  

“Every step is a step forward. And that’s good enough for me!”

3. Gongpop: The Determined  

From not being able to sit still, to becoming a medal-winning athlete, Gongpop Kumyang has come a long way. He used to be overweight, had poor eating habits, and would fall sick often. But with the support of his coaches and volunteers from the Special Olympics Young Athletes program, he has since changed his sedentary lifestyle, lost weight and become healthier. These days, he helps his grandparents with daily chores like sweeping and washing the dishes. He also plays outside with the neighbors instead of watching TV. This young athlete has a dream – he’s determined to train and one day represent his country on the world stage. 

 “I have a disability, but it does not define me. My future is bright. The sky’s not the limit, it’s only just the beginning!” 

4. Joachim: The Enthusiastic 

Meet Joachim Isaac, lovingly known as ‘Akim’. He spoke his first word when he was 3 years old and was diagnosed soon after with autism. His parents were constantly worried about his development, because he was slower than other kids and had trouble following instructions. He was later diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) too. When he was 4, he joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. The exercises, games and morning obstacle courses became his favorite activities of the day. Over time, his motor and social skills improved. Now, he’s a competent swimmer who also loves to paint, sketch and sing. He’s even had his own art exhibition!  

“I know that life is filled with colors for me to explore and create, and to achieve my own milestones, in my own time.” 

5. Mai: The Spirited

Anusorn Prabkraisi, 11, is a die-hard football fan. Friends and family lovingly call him Mai. When he was 6, his love and passion for sport led him to become a part of the Special Olympics family. His teachers have observed his great hand-eye coordination and regard him as a pro at throwing and catching the ball. During lessons, he’s usually quiet but when it comes to football training or physical education classes, he comes alive! Sports make him feel energetic and free.   

“My coach believes that I will one day be a top athlete in the school. When I grow up, I can play football for Thailand!” 

Will these young ones make your Nice List too? Well, why don’t YOU be their Santa and give them the best gift of all, the gift of inclusion, the gift of a better, brighter future? We urge you to make this Christmas merry for thousands of young athletes with intellectual disabilities across Asia Pacific with a #GiftofInclusion!

The post Who Is Topping Santa’s Nice List appeared first on Human RACE.

Since I was a young child, I’ve been slower than others in terms of my learning. I was also physically frail and had breathing difficulties.

I lived with my father in the temple, and attended the Ubon Ratchanthani Special School, for children with disabilities. Because of my ill health, I couldn’t help with chores at the temple. I was always out of breath, and couldn’t take part in physical activities and games at school. I couldn’t speak or communicate very well too.

When I was 8, my teachers took me for a free health screening at my school, conducted by Special Olympics Thailand. The doctors and teachers were shocked to discover that I had major cyanotic heart disease. I had a defective heart valve, and had only two functional heart chambers instead of four, resulting in low oxygen levels in my blood. It explained why I suffered breathing difficulties all these years. It was the first time I had gone for a heart or thyroid check.

I was referred to a cardiologist and started a course of treatment – completely free of charge. The doctor prescribed medication and gave my caregivers a clear set of instructions to closely monitor my daily activities and condition. Over the next few years, my health improved tremendously. With treatment and care, I was soon able to take part in more physical activities and started training in my favorite sport – football.

I am now 14 years old. I love playing football with my friends at school. While I used to sit by the sidelines, I am now able to take part in physical education lessons and play recreational sport.

In 2018, I was even able to share my health journey on a live TV show organized by Unicef Thailand, called the “Blue Carpet Show”. As part of the event, I got to meet one of Asia’s biggest celebrities – K-pop star Siwon! He visited my father and I at the temple and helped tell our story on the show.

My life has been transformed since that Special Olympics health screening six years ago. Without it, I might still be a frail and sickly teenager, and not living a full and active life.

My name is Watchara Moondub, known fondly as ‘Jad’ or ‘Jazz’ by my family, which means bright colours in Thai. Today, I’m confident that the road ahead of me is vibrant and picturesque, and I’ll keep moving forward!  

The post Living to the beat of my heart appeared first on Human RACE.

I grew up without a father figure because my dad has been in prison since I was very young. I’ve always loved football but I didn’t have anyone to play with in my family. There is a football field near where I live, and whenever I had the chance to go out, I would stand by the sidelines and watch the older boys play.

My name is Anusorn Prabkraisi. I am 11, and my friends call me Mai. When I was 6, I joined the Special Olympics Young Athletes program in Thailand. I was then a student at the Trang Special Centre, for children with special needs. I loved it because I could do simple sports activities like throwing and catching a ball, climbing, crossing obstacles, and so on. My teachers said I had great hand-eye coordination and was a pro at throwing and catching the ball!

I continued the activities at home with my family, using simple items to create weights or obstacle courses. It gave me a good foundation at a young age, to grow strong and develop sports skills.

A few years later, I joined the Nakorn Srithammarat Special School and was thrilled to be selected for the football team. During lessons, I’m usually very quiet, but when it comes to football training or physical education classes, I come alive! I love sports. It makes me feel so energetic and free. 

At home, my mum encourages me to play. She gets me plenty of balls to kick around – big ones and small ones. My mum doesn’t know much about football but she always tries her best to cheer me on during training, directing me to go this way and that. She knows I love football attire, and has bought me many sets. I love them so much that I even wear them to bed!

My coach started me on bocce training recently to help me focus. I’m been doing really well. My coach believes that I have the potential to be a top athlete at my school. I hope that when I grow up, I can be a national athlete and one day represent Thailand in football!

The post No dreamer too small, no dream too big appeared first on Human RACE.

As children, I saw my younger siblings clock their milestones one by one – walking, running, speaking, reading – and all I felt was envy. Although I was the oldest, they surpassed me in every aspect.  

I couldn’t walk or speak until the age of 6. Back then, my siblings often made fun of me for being different and slow. My younger brother found it odd that I couldn’t remember what the tutor had taught me and would say how “bobo” (stupid or dumb in Tagalog) I was. Mum had to explain to him that I was different, and learnt slower than others.  

She tried to get me enrolled in various schools. Every time, she would explain to the parents of my classmates about my disability, so that I wouldn’t be bullied in school. Despite the best efforts of my teachers, I struggled to cope with the pace of the lessons and transferred from one school to another. I remembered switching schools at least four times.  

Finally, at the age of 8, I was placed in a special school for children with disabilities. But things did not get any easier.  I could barely understand the lessons and still couldn’t keep up. 

My life turned around when I was 10. I remember taking a walk with my mum near the University of the Philippines when we chanced upon a group of athletes with disabilities training in sports at the university’s open field. Mum approached them and found out they were Special Olympics athletes. 

At the time, I was physically weak. I had problems walking and had to hold on to someone’s hand for support all the time. I also had problems with my eyesight. So we were pleasantly surprised that the answer was an immediate “yes” when Mum asked if I could become a Special Olympics athlete. 

I started simple training in athletics every Saturday. Although it was difficult, I never gave up. Neither did my family. Mum had to work weekends and Dad was based overseas, but Grandma made sure I never missed a single session of training. 

After a few months, with the patient guidance of my coaches and my team, I got stronger. I can never forget the moment when I could finally walk on my own. I was at my regular Special Olympics 25-metre run practice, and my grandma encouraged me to let go of her hand. I was in disbelief when I crossed the finish line, completely unaided. The team went wild. I was so happy I gave my grandma a bear hug. I’ve not had to hold on to others from that moment on.  

I also found the confidence to speak up and make friends. I now have team-mates and coaches who do not judge me based on my disability. For the first time, I felt the support of people who believed in my abilities, who pushed me to greater heights. Beyond friendship, I found kinship with the Special Olympics family. 

My eyesight was also corrected through the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program. I went through various health checks including an eye test and was prescribed glasses. I have been able to take part in different types of sports since. 

Over the past 36 years with Special Olympics, I have trained in athletics, basketball, football, bowling and table tennis. I even represented the Philippines at several Special Olympics World Games and Regional Games, and did my country proud. My first international event was in the United States where our football team won a gold medal. I was just 16 at the time. Since then, I have won medals in competitions held in Ireland, Shanghai, and Australia.  

My transformation has been a surprise to many. My family never thought that I would one day be able to walk on my own, or even talk. But now, they can’t shut me up. They joke that I’m too talkative! Special Olympics has completely changed my life and opened up my world beyond sports. 

In 2018, at the age of 43, I got my first job at a health and personal care retailer known as Southstar Drug, through a job-placement program for people with disabilities in the Philippines. I was recommended by one of the board directors of Special Olympics, who believed in my abilities. My job was to help with packing and stocking the shelves. In the first few months, I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep. I would wake up every day at 2am to prepare and make sure that I arrive early at work, before 7am. 

Being employed makes me feel empowered. I am grateful to be able to contribute meaningfully to society, earn my own keep and help my family pay for groceries. I enjoy buying treats for my family, friends and colleagues. Recently, I was also able to afford my own mobile phone and electronic bike. 

I am thankful that my supervisors have assigned me more responsibilities and duties. Apart from packing, I am now entrusted with opening the store at 6am, operating the generator, minor security duties, as well as replenishing stock from the store room. Although I am unable to read the labels on the products, I can recognize the designs and memorize the packaging. I have never made a mistake! 

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, employees were given the option to take no-pay leave and stay home. But I chose to continue working because I want to help my family financially. The pandemic has affected the jobs of many employees in the Philippines, and my mother and siblings have not been spared. I am now the family’s breadwinner. My siblings are proud of me and thankful that I can help ease the family’s financial burden. 

I am told that that there are former colleagues who envy me, as they are now unable to find a job. My colleagues treat me with respect and look up to me as a big brother. I’m humbled and amazed at how things have changed since my childhood. 

These days, I protect myself by avoiding huge crowds and public transportation, and riding my e-bike to and from work every day. It takes me just 30 minutes per trip, and it’s great exercise. 

Having a job is one of the best things that has happened in my life, and my greatest hope is that more employers all over the world can open their doors, hearts and minds to workers like me. 

Stereotypes of older workers, or of people with disabilities are one-dimensional, incomplete narratives that don’t tell the full story. People with intellectual disabilities are capable of so much more than the box that society has put us in. All we need is a fighting chance to prove it. I don’t need to be a person of success, I just want to be a person of value. 

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I remember someone once told me that we need to create a society where being legless would be irrelevant. This is the world I aspire to create, where people with intellectual disabilities would not be judged on their disabilities but on their potential to achieve what everyone can and sometimes, even more!  

I was in university when I came across Special Olympics Pakistan. I was the Vice President of a society called education and community service during that time. A friend came up to me one day and told me about a unified sports event by the Special Olympics, where people with and without intellectual disabilities could play together on the same team. At first, I was sceptical, I did not understand how it would be possible. After our final meeting, we decided to give it a shot.

When the match started, I experienced for the first time in my life, the true joy of football. While we were playing to win, the greater goal was in playing together for the love of sports, making sure that no team-mate was sidelined, and simply enjoying the camaraderie of the team. It was a life-changing moment. I decided then to participate in more such events and even interned with Special Olympics for a while. 

After my graduation, I worked for a company for a year but was looking for something more meaningful. That’s when Special Olympics came into my life full time. I had applied for a job and got through. It’s been more than 4 years working with the team and it has been an amazing journey. 

It has been difficult at times because not everyone understands the importance of inclusion but having Haseeb by my side has been a plus because his journey has been such an inspiring one. 

Haseeb Abbasi  is a Special Olympics athlete leader with autism from Pakistan and I have been working with him for over 3 years now. We have worked on so many memorable projects together and have since forged a valuable friendship in the process.  

One of our most memorable projects was a unified hike in Islamabad that we organised together. We invited people with and without ID to hike alongside one another. It was a magical experience witnessing everyone come together as strangers but leave the event as friends. There were no barriers between people with or without disabilities; only kindness and mutual understanding. 

Haseeb has taught me so much about life and inspired me with his passion, grace, and never-say-die attitude. As a person with autism, he has faced rejection and discrimination all his life. But he’s never given up chasing his dreams. Today, he is an entrepreneur and an active advocate, travelling the world to spread awareness of issues faced by people with ID. 

Haseeb’s success is proof that in an inclusive society, we can all fulfil our potential and have the opportunity to live our dreams. The young people of today, who are the leaders of tomorrow, have a key role in creating such a utopia. Hence, it is important that we inculcate the feeling of love, compassion and tolerance among our youth right from the start. 

People with ID are seen as different, people feel that they perceive things differently. But don’t we all? 

The next time you see someone with ID, don’t shun them. Go up to them, talk to them, get to know them. They might take time to open up but trust me, they are more receptive to love and affection than any one of us. All they need is an equal opportunity to live, work, play, and achieve their dreams.  

The post We are Complete when Everyone is Included appeared first on Human RACE.

The first time I encountered a child with intellectual disabilities, I wasn’t sure how to interact with her. We were at a football workshop conducted by Special Olympics Papua New Guinea back in 2013. The child, who has Down Syndrome, refused to play but pointed at the ball and kept repeating, “soccer, soccer, soccer”. 

I witnessed how the coaches patiently coaxed her out of her shell, using sports to help her gain confidence. By the end of the workshop, she was running around playing with the other children, with a wide smile on her face. There were children, with and without intellectual disabilities, playing together happily without inhibitions. In fact, it was impossible to tell them apart. 

I was convinced at that moment, of the unifying power of sports. It marked the start of my  journey as a volunteer coach with the Special Olympics, and it’s been impossible to look back since. 

I’ve seen how the movement has changed lives. Raphael Ottoase is one of our Special Olympics athletes in Papua New Guinea. He has been living in a disability home and for years, he hardly got any visits from his family. When he got involved in Special Olympics initiatives, which included sports and leadership development, he became a whole new person. He started smiling and laughing a lot more and wasn’t afraid to speak up. 

For the first time in his life, he felt empowered. At the ripe old age of 52, Raphael made his very first trip out of Papua New Guinea to Singapore, to represent the country in a  leadership conference. The experience was life-changing. It changed his family’s perception too, helping them realize that Raphael was capable of so much more than they imagined.  

Raphael, like so many other athletes, has put Papua New Guinea on the world map. In 2015, we sent a team to the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Los Angeles, and made our country proud by bringing home medals in athletics. In 2019, our athletes went to the  World Games in Abu Dhabi and delivered a clean sweep of medals in shot put, among other  achievements. It is absolutely amazing to witness what our athletes are capable of, when given the opportunity to shine. 

For many of these athletes, it is their first time competing and representing their country on the global stage. The exposure and confidence gained are transformative for all of us. To be honest, I’ve never travelled before being a part of the movement. Since 2013, I have been exposed to so many people from all over the world who are doing their bit to promote inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, and it’s humbling to know I’m part of this global community.

We have a long road ahead of us. Companies need to be more inclusive, hire more people with intellectual disabilities, and fund organizations like ours so that we can do more for our athletes. Parents need to change their mindsets, expose their children with disabilities to experiences, and not hide them at home in shame. More volunteers need to come forward, to be guardians, mentors and coaches to our athletes. The public needs to open their hearts and minds, to interact with our athletes and befriend them. 

It is my hope that we will one day see a truly inclusive world, where people do not just tolerate but accept unconditionally. To borrow a quote, “Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.”

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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.

He has a clear vision about his role as a Director and challenges people’s views around intellectual disability, sport and inclusion. He serves as an assistant coach and is a leader both off and on the sports field. He regularly attends sports forums, speaks at conferences, was on the Evaluation Team of the World Games in Athens and is an Athlete Presenter for Inclusion in Sport workshops. Ben has represented Special Olympics at international events and travelled to South Africa in 2010 to participate in the Unity Cup match.

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