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The Ellen Olusola Caulcrick Foundation in conjunction with Olusoye Compensatory Centre will, on Tuesday, hold a unified sports championship, which will see children with disabilities competing side-by-side with able-bodied counterparts.
The one-day competition will be held at the Igbobi College, Yaba, from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Speaking on the novel competition in Lagos on Tuesday, the coordinator of the event, Segun Caulcrick, said that students from 31 schools across Lagos would take part in the event, which will feature football, relay race, tug of war, basketball, egg race, and a dance competition.
“It will be great fun to see kids, especially those with special needs compete alongside their able-bodied colleagues.
“For instance, each relay team will be made up of both athletes with disabilities and those who are not physically challenged. This way, we will inculcate in them that sense of inclusiveness and acceptance by society.
“We want to have students work together towards common goals; build friendships; achieve social integration, and change societal perception towards people with disabilities,” he said.
He added that various arms of government have identified with the programme, adding that Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Sanwo-Olu, has accepted to be the special guest of honour, while the Chief of Staff to the Governor will be the chairman of the occasion.
“The Unified Sports Competition has come to stay as a way of sustaining the legacy of Ellen Caulcrick, a woman who dedicated her life to educating people with special needs,” Caulcrick said while calling on parents of children with special needs to encourage their wards to take to sports.”
He also canvassed the corporate community to identify with efforts of the foundation to give the children that sense of belonging, and inclusiveness.
“We are getting across to the general public to support our efforts. It is everybody’s responsibility,” he stressed.
Caulcrick said that all the participants will take home gift packages and medals, adding: “If we have the capacity, even participating schools will be given special packages too.”