30th National Cultural and Sports Festival for Children with Special Needs

According to the Public Relations Office of the Sports Science Research Institute, the 30th National Cultural and Sports Festival for Children with Special Needs will be held in collaboration with the Sports Science Research Institute of the Ministry of Science, Physical Fitness Federation, Equestrian Federation, Federation of Disabled and Handicapped Individuals, University of Rehabilitation Sciences and Social Health of the Ministry of Health, and Rhythmogym Association, by the Rohi Charitable Foundation in Badleh, Sari, in September 2023.

According to a report from the Special Olympics of Iran’s public relations office, 59 Special Olympics centers across the country have registered to participate in this national festival. Out of these, 40 centers have a history of participating in Special Olympics virtual programs, 36 centers attended the meeting of the heads of centers last year in Tehran (November 2022), 39 centers have participated in domestic Special Olympics festivals, 19 centers have hosted Special Olympics programs at the national or provincial level, and 12 centers have sent athletes to international Special Olympics events. These centers, spread across 37 cities and 15 provinces, currently serve over 15,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism, providing rehabilitation, sports, and educational services.

Special Olympics is the largest global organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and has been active in over 190 countries. Its mission is to enhance the health and social integration of individuals through sports, offering programs for people with any type and degree of intellectual disability, regardless of age. Special Olympics has organized 30 national festivals in Iran and participated in over 18 international events. This non-governmental organization was established in 1998 by the late Professor Asghar Dadkhah and has expanded through the efforts of university professors across the country.

At the Badleh national festival, faculty members from the Sports Science Research Institute, coaches from the Equestrian Federation and the Physical Fitness Federation, along with specialists in the rehabilitation field, will provide cultural and recreational programs, focusing on promoting health for individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports.