The inaugural edition of the Special Olympics Unified Sports tournament in Africa took place in Makueni County, with the Kibwezi West Girls Unified Football team emerging as champions in the female seven-a-side football competition. The tournament unfolded over the weekend at the KMTC grounds in Wote.
Unified Sports involves an equal number of athletes with intellectual disabilities and partners without intellectual disabilities, forming the same team for both training and competition. Engineer Peter Mumo, the Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth Sports, and Social Services, highlighted the inclusive nature of the sport, emphasizing the equal participation of players with and without disabilities.
Vincent Mungai, the Sports Manager for Special Olympics Kenya, explained that Unified Sports aims to encourage female athletes with intellectual disabilities in sports. He emphasized the focus on promoting inclusivity for females in sports, addressing the historical imbalance.
Makueni County played a significant role in the 2023 Special Olympics Games in Berlin, winning several medals, leading to the establishment of a partnership with Nike. The three-day tournament in Wote, officially closed on Sunday, March 10, with Governor Mutula Kilonzo and County Commissioner Henry Wafula overseeing the event.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo commended the participants for their excellent ball control despite facing intellectual disabilities. He recognized the international standard of the game and expressed pride in the talent produced in Makueni. Mutula encouraged the young athletes to avoid negative behaviors and urged them to use their talents responsibly, emphasizing the importance of societal inclusivity.
