DAR ES SALAAM: SPECIAL Olympics Tanzania has lined up series of Inclusive Sporting activities to brighten the Global Week of Inclusion (GWI) scheduled from July 20 to 26 this year in Dar es Salaam.
GWI is a global campaign that highlights the importance of including people with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of community life.
In his media briefing in the city today, July 14, 2026, Special Olympics Tanzania National Director Charles Rays emphasized on the importance of embracing inclusion saying it is part and parcel of life.
“As Special Olympics marks 58 years of advancing inclusion worldwide, the campaign invites individuals, schools, businesses, media and community organisations to help make more inclusive and respectful society for all,” he said.
He added that people with intellectual disabilities still face barriers to participation, opportunity and belonging as such GWI encourages communities to challenge stereotypes, celebrate achievements and take action for inclusion.
“Inclusion is not a trend, it is a fundamental human right… when people with intellectual disabilities are fully included in our communities, workplaces and schools, the whole world becomes richer for it since inclusion reduces bullying, cultivates empathy and drives meaningful change,” Rays said.
He added that to commemorate well the GWI, they have arranged several inclusive sporting activities bringing together athletes with intellectual disabilities together with their normal counterparts, a true symbol of inclusion.
“We highly believe that sports is an important too that facilitate the aspect of inclusion and intellectual disabled athletes usually perform better when they are engaged.
“Football will be among the sporting events to be featured throughout the GWI alongside other sports disciplines which will be unveiled soon…I urge people to come in big number to witness the inclusive games,” Rays said.
Commenting on how inclusion revolution matters, he replied that Special Olympics athletes are driving that change everyday by stepping up, learning sports and competing.
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“They are proving that they are community heroes, role models and leaders…they are forcing schools to reduce bullying, forcing workplaces to rethink hiring and forcing healthcare systems to treat them with equal dignity,” he remarked.