“The eye of the world has now turned for a moment to the pitches of Special Olympics football: to their hearts, to their eyes, to their minds, to their skills, to their abilities, to the joy they bring to this sport, to the joy that they can also bring to their communities everyday. The Ball helped us tell that story.”
Tim Shriver, Chairman & CEO, Special Olympics
Special Olympics organised a series of high–profile public events for The Ball in 16 countries in Sub–Saharan Africa. The events featured Unified Football, where mixed teams comprise players with and without intellectual disability. People with special needs were very publicly seen to be included in sport without prejudice.
The events were publicised widely and were attended by political leaders who pledged their support on national TV. Corporate involvement in events has led directly to the formation of new partnerships for Special Olympics, for example with Precision Air in Tanzania.
Participation in the initiative by Special Olympics staff and volunteers has led to the strengthening of internal communities while press coverage through The Ball has helped to kick–start the Special Olympics Global Football Initiative.
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Spirit of Football CIC is a not–for–profit community interest company dedicated to promoting a very special ball as the “star of the beautiful game” in the run–up to each World Cup. We call it The Ball.
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