Imagine Inclusion - 2009 Special Olympics Football in the Park

Special Olympics Belgium footballers participated in the fifth edition of the event in Parc Léopold in Brussels, Belgium on October 6. 

“UEFA is proud to support Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia,” said UEFA President Michel Platini.  “The Special Olympics Football in the Park event, involving Special Olympics athletes, MEPs and European Commission officials has become a permanent fixture in the Brussels calendar.  It offers a perfect example of what Special Olympics does.” 

Despite the rain, Special Olympics footballers were joined on the pitch by nine young talents of RSC Anderlencht football club, representatives of the European Commission and members of the European Parliament, including MEP Hannu Takkalu from Finland, patron of the event. The game was kicked off by William Gaillard, advisor to UEFA President, Michel Platini and Romelu Lukaku, young star player from RSC Anderlecht.  

Showcasing Special Olympics efforts to promote inclusion, Special Olympics football player Marteen Stieners who became a Special Olympics assistant coach one year ago, conducted the warm up and skills session with his coach Nico Hoeven.  “The European Community and all its Member States have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to participate in sporting activities,” explained Bart Ooijen from the Sport Unit of the European Commission Directorate-General Education and Culture.   “Sports offer the opportunity to see the person instead of the disability. Sports is a powerful tool for social inclusion.”

“We are delighted with the support from our partners UEFA, the European Parliament, the European Commission, the football club RSC Anderlecht and the 2009 European Year of Innovation and Creativity for allowing us to once again showcase the abilities and skills of the Special Olympics footballers,” added Mary Davis.

The day ended with a medal ceremony and official gift presentation between Roger Vanden Stock, President of RSC Anderlecht and Guido Kestens, Vice President de Special Olympics Belgium. “I wish to thank all those who made this event possible. We are very grateful to be able to co-operate and I congratulate all participants for their endeavour,” declared Mr. Vanden Stock.

The event was supported by the European Year of Innovation and Creativity.

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There are approximately 26.5 million people with intellectual disabilities in Europe and Central Asia. Special Olympics serves just over half a million providing daily sports training and thousands of competitions year round that transform lives on and off the playing field.

Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia has recently made an application to secure funding from the European Commission to financially support the development of Special Olympics across the 27 EU Member States, to assist with the hosting of the Vth Special Olympics European Games which are to be held in Warsaw in 2010 and the XIIth Special Olympics World Summer Games which are to be held in Athens in the year 2011.

Photo: Official gift presentation between Roger Vanden Stock, President of RSC Anderlecht and Guido Kestens, Vice President de Special Olympics Belgium during the Special Olympics Football in the Park event. (Photo credit: Björn Köhler, SOEE)