Special Olympics Nigeria, last Saturday hosted a one-day Football Tournament/Skills Festival in Lagos at the St. Finbarrs’ College, Akoka, Yaba Lagos.
This event is part of the 2017 FIFA Football for Hope (FFH) programme activities in Nigeria.
The day was filled with activities including- unified football competition, award of medals/certificates and skills festival/exhibition; that allowed participants to showcase the different skills they have learned in making of beads, mops, soap, and barbing (cutting of hair for men) during vocational training.
Amongst other activities is celebration with music, dance and refreshments.
The event had in attendance, the community members, teachers/caregivers, parents and friends of the FIFA Football for Hope participants.
The FIFA sponsored Football for Hope programme is aimed at tackling the problems faced by people with intellectual disability such as social stigma, exploitation, prejudice, discrimination, fear and exclusion from family or social life.
According to the organisers of the event, this programme focuses on empowering and socially integrate people with intellectual disability through unified football and vocational training.
“FIFA believes that football is more than just a game. Through its unique power and universality, football can bring people together, transform lives and inspire entire communities.
“It creates powerful opportunities to break down barriers to social development, education and health awareness. This is evidenced by the hundreds of community organisations that are active in delivering social projects through football across the globe,†concludes Special Olympics Nigeria.
