Sport and ThisAbility - An opportunity to dream

At about 5 years ago, i stormed the image above on the internet, then i was thrilled at the joy that greeted the boy's face. The radiant face says alot about how much children needs the societal support most especially those with special ability like him, the chance to play and dream to help raise their belief and confidence to compete and succeed.  His zeal and drive to run on that track demonstrates that people with #ThisAbility does not amount to inability. It shows how stronger mentally they are, only begging for our support, love and rather than rejection or discrimination.

Fastfoward to 2016, have been more passionate than ever to what sport can do, the tremendous power of sport in strengthen social inclusion. This kid just want to play and actualize his dream of being an athlete and then with a little support, he could achieve it. Sport is indeed powerful. It gives an opportunity to dream, happy and learn essential social values.

People all over the world and most notably Nigerians, must begin to see sport beyond as just an entertainment galore or a mere physical activity. Its popularity if availed adequately can advance social change, development in communities.

Its appeal is ever growing across the world but sport can do more in the society. Its power to mobilize, unite and inspire can be used to achieve great things when children and youths are engaged using sport as means to support their health, education, foster social inclusion, gender equality, promote peace and raise environmental awareness.
With multiplicity of challenges facing the world today and Nigeria most particularly, ranging from diseases, increasing school dropout, very little awareness about environmental practices and climate change, insecurity, riots in communities, discrimination against girls and women among others, sport can be a viable means to drive social change. It can do it alone, but with effective partnership of with other non profit organisations and concerted effort across the seam can bring to fore, a better nigeria, making giant strides in the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goals target in Nigeria.

You can navigate through our archives to read about our goals and target to support our programmes and initiatives.