Special Olympics Angola is the newest Program in the Africa Region, founded in 2022, but it is making tremendous moves as it expands its reach and partnerships. Under the skillful leadership of chairperson Jean-Jacques Nzadi Conceição, the former professional basketball player and FIBA Hall of Famer, the Program has ramped up activities and almost doubled its athlete count to 1,363 last year. And they are continuing this momentum through an innovative partnership with Manchester City and global appliance group Midea.
The key goal of the initiative is to create healthier, happier and more connected communities around the world. In order to do this, Manchester City and Midea are launching this project across 5 countries with an exclusive list of community partners, which includes Special Olympics Angola in the city of Luanda.
Midea is donating resources and home appliances that will transform a community center and football hub into a safe and inclusive environment. The concept is to create an enhanced space that serves as a meeting point for young people to come together and engage in football-based education, explore their leadership skills, and have direct access to resources that support their physical and mental well-being.
This shares extensive common ground with the mission of Special Olympics. Hence why Manchester City’s charity, City in the Community, sought out the local Program in Angola. City in the Community seeks to engage with young leaders from Special Olympics Angola to join their global network to uplift the health of young people in their local communities. Tom Pitchon, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at City Football Group, said: “Through this partnership, we are using football and Midea products to uplift the lives of young people around the world.
“The community football projects we are supporting with provide young people in cities across the globe with a home away from home, while promoting health, life skills, confidence, new friendships, and leadership opportunities.”
This partnership is another big step taken by Special Olympics Angola, who were among the first Programs to officially join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, under the Minister of Youth and Sports Honorable Rui Luís Falcão Pinto de Andrade. This partnership is set to transform the educational and athletic landscape for 3,085 youth across 128 schools nationwide, including those with intellectual disabilities. Over the next three years, more than 200 teachers will receive specialized training to ensure inclusive practices are effectively implemented.
As Special Olympics Angola continues to build, the Program will send an observer delegation when they participate the first ever Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup in Puerto Rico, from 3 – 7 December, in the hope of one day playing host to this global event.
To read more and watch a video featuring Special Olympics Angola, please visit Manchester City’s website here: City and Midea launch new community football initiative across Africa
