Lessons from the Special Olympics
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 22-4-2012
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 22-4-2012
Every so often events around us act as a reminder of what life is all about. Mine came on a flight to Panama City, Panama from San Juan in Puerto Rico on my way home.
Among the passengers were some 30 Puerto Rican youths who were heading for the Second Special Olympics -- Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama City.
The Games, which was from April 13-21, involved some 600 special athletes from 13 countries.
Among the passengers were some 30 Puerto Rican youths who were heading for the Second Special Olympics -- Central American and Caribbean Games in Panama City.
The Games, which was from April 13-21, involved some 600 special athletes from 13 countries.
Special athletes aboard the plane
This figure excludes coaches, officials and 1,000 volunteers. More than 10,000 spectators were at the event.
Indeed the logo of the Games depicted a symbol of growth, confidence and joy among children and adults with disabilities who learnt coordination as well as mastered skills to take part in the competition and prepare for a richer, more productive life. It is different from the Paralympics where athletes with physical disabilities, including those with mobility challenges and cerebral palsy, amputees and the blind compete.
Unlike the more publicised Paralympics, the Special Olympics is a relatively recent development for athletes who face some form of intellectual disability.
The idea began in 1968 when the first International Special Olympics Games was hosted in Chicago in the United States. By 2003, the first Special Olympics World Summer Games was held outside of the US in Dublin, Ireland.
At the inaugural international meet, the convenor cited that the Games proved "a very fundamental fact" -- that children with intellectual impairments can be exceptional athletes and that through sport, they too can realise their potential for growth.
The Special Olympics has been accepted internationally as a global movement. More than 3.7 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 170 countries have taken part in it.
It has created a new world of inclusion -- communities are socially engaged with enriching recreational activities regardless of varying abilities (wrongly perceived as "disability"). It inspires us to make the world a more equitable place, with a harmonious blend of diverse human talents.
The Second Special Olympics, which was organised by Special Olympics Latin America based in Panama City, featured five-a-side football, basketball, track and field, swimming, table tennis, tennis, bocce, bowling and rhythmic gymnastics.
Last year saw the first Special Olympics Copa America with competitors from 12 Latin American countries.
Every so often cheers from a team member were heard on the aeroplane. It culminated in a loud round of applause as soon as the plane touched down at Panama International Airport.
This was followed by repeated calls of Vamos pa' allá (loosely translated from Spanish into "Here we come to success!") while a girl waved the Puerto Rican flag.
The 21/2-hour flight passed quickly in the company of the special athletes -- one could not imagine the fun and joy when they competed in the Games.
With the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London, the United Kingdom, we hope that we can learn the true meaning of "competition" from the Special Olympics. It is not about the glory of one individual, or one nation, but of humankind.
Competition is not about championing the mighty over the meek, but rather it is the spirit of togetherness in building camaraderie in a diverse and inequitable world.
Ultimately it is all about helping everyone to realise their dreams. However, the one overarching principle needed to make this a reality is the kindness and humility of the athletes throughout flight CM 451Y.
- The writer is the vice-chancellor of Albukhary International University
Indeed the logo of the Games depicted a symbol of growth, confidence and joy among children and adults with disabilities who learnt coordination as well as mastered skills to take part in the competition and prepare for a richer, more productive life. It is different from the Paralympics where athletes with physical disabilities, including those with mobility challenges and cerebral palsy, amputees and the blind compete.
Unlike the more publicised Paralympics, the Special Olympics is a relatively recent development for athletes who face some form of intellectual disability.
The idea began in 1968 when the first International Special Olympics Games was hosted in Chicago in the United States. By 2003, the first Special Olympics World Summer Games was held outside of the US in Dublin, Ireland.
At the inaugural international meet, the convenor cited that the Games proved "a very fundamental fact" -- that children with intellectual impairments can be exceptional athletes and that through sport, they too can realise their potential for growth.
The Special Olympics has been accepted internationally as a global movement. More than 3.7 million people with intellectual disabilities in more than 170 countries have taken part in it.
It has created a new world of inclusion -- communities are socially engaged with enriching recreational activities regardless of varying abilities (wrongly perceived as "disability"). It inspires us to make the world a more equitable place, with a harmonious blend of diverse human talents.
The Second Special Olympics, which was organised by Special Olympics Latin America based in Panama City, featured five-a-side football, basketball, track and field, swimming, table tennis, tennis, bocce, bowling and rhythmic gymnastics.
Last year saw the first Special Olympics Copa America with competitors from 12 Latin American countries.
Every so often cheers from a team member were heard on the aeroplane. It culminated in a loud round of applause as soon as the plane touched down at Panama International Airport.
This was followed by repeated calls of Vamos pa' allá (loosely translated from Spanish into "Here we come to success!") while a girl waved the Puerto Rican flag.
The 21/2-hour flight passed quickly in the company of the special athletes -- one could not imagine the fun and joy when they competed in the Games.
With the upcoming 2012 Olympics in London, the United Kingdom, we hope that we can learn the true meaning of "competition" from the Special Olympics. It is not about the glory of one individual, or one nation, but of humankind.
Competition is not about championing the mighty over the meek, but rather it is the spirit of togetherness in building camaraderie in a diverse and inequitable world.
Ultimately it is all about helping everyone to realise their dreams. However, the one overarching principle needed to make this a reality is the kindness and humility of the athletes throughout flight CM 451Y.
- The writer is the vice-chancellor of Albukhary International University