Desmond Lewis
On Friday 29th May 2026 the. Unified sports was. Lunched in freetown under the leadership of Hon Ibrahim sannoh minister of youth Affairs in a colourful
ceremony which was attended by senior government officials, Olympic athletes, RSLAF, Correctional center, police and families
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the ministry of youth Affairs and the special Olympic sierra leone in a colourful ceremony attended by athletes, government officials, community members., representatives,, from RSLAF, correctional centers the medical wings and family members.
The initiative aim is to bring together people with and without intellectual disabilities to participate in sports as team mates, promoting inclusion friendship and equally opportunities for all.
In his keynote address, the minister of youths Affairs Honourable Ibrahim sannoh said the mission for the global coalition could not be better aligned with the mandate of the ministry.
“In sierra leone 70% of people with disability including intellectual disabilities are youths. The government is shifting its perspective from viewing people with disability as a charitable issue to recognising inclusion as a fundamental matter of systemic justice. Person with intellectual disability remain one of the most unseen and unheard group of in sierra leone. The tradition is crucial for ensuring that the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities are adequately addressed within national policies. He stated.
He called for statistical tracking and data for people with intellectual disabilities to address the needs that have long been overlooked in the past.
Hon. Sannoh said this oversight has significant implications in resource allocation , policy development .and the overall visibility of this population with the national planning framework.
The lack of data he said prevent policy maker from designing specialised health care tailored educational programs and inclusive sports initiatives.
Mr charles Nyembe the president and managing director for special Olympic African express deep admiration for the commitment and solidarity demonstrated by the sierra leone team. He commended the athletes, volunteers, leadership and partners for their dedication in advancing inclusion and empowering person with intellectual disabilities through out the country.
He said the level of unity and collaboration he witnessed clearly demonstrates the bright future of special olympics sierra leone.
The event was supported by Mr charles Nyambe the president and managing director of special Olympic African and mr Shawn Ferguson chief global goverment relation officer from special Olympics international.
Special Olympic sierra leone was joined by it’s partners, Amnesty International, The lions club international, National commission for persons with disabilities, UNICEF and red cross.