/PRCWT/Shanghai, October 11, 2023 - The 2023 Special Olympics Badminton Tournament in Shanghai ended successfully on September 24 at the Jingan Micro Jump Badminton Hall. The badminton tournament was organized by the Special Olympics Organization and organized by the "Green Bud Sports Rehabilitation" special fund of Shanghai Pudong New Area Enpai Public Welfare Foundation, co-organized by Shanghai YouYouxin Public Welfare Service Center and Shanghai Qingxin Youth Development and Promotion Center, and Walt Disney (China) Co., LTD., as the charity supporting partner of the event.
Ms. Feng Meisun, President of International Special Olympics East Asia Region, Coach Zhao Yong, founder of Enpai Foundation, Mr. Liu Chang, Director of Venture Capital of Beijing Sany Foundation, and representatives of teachers and students from Shanghai Pudong New Area School, Xuhui District Dong Li Fengmei Health School and Yangfan School of Yangpu District attended the opening ceremony.
Ms. Mei Sun Fung, President of Special Olympics International East Asia, said: "Special Olympics is committed to creating conditions and opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in Olympic-style sports training and competitions throughout the year, so that they can realize their potential, perform bravely, share happiness, exchange skills and enhance friendship with other athletes, their families and the public. We believe that sport opens people's hearts and creates integrated social environments around the world.
Coach Zhao Yong, founder of the Green Bud Movement Special Fund of the Enpai Public Welfare Foundation of Shanghai Pudong New Area, said: Promoting the Special Olympic movement and advocating sports rehabilitation is a valuable thing for children and parents, is a meaningful and contribution to society, and is something few people have done before. We will live up to our trust and forge ahead!
This badminton tournament is aimed at recruiting athletes who have received special Olympic sports training throughout the year, and a total of 160 athletes are recruited through Enpai Green Bud Sports Public Welfare Foundation in training students, parents' organizations, special education schools and other recruitment channels. The competition is divided into 4 times, each 40 athletes participate in the competition, in order to ensure the fairness of the competition, but also the athletes can stimulate their personal potential in the competition. Before the competition, the event organizer conducted a group ability test for all the athletes, and strictly reviewed the participation data and certificates of each athlete.
The events of this competition are divided into badminton special events and physical fitness events. During the entire implementation of the competition, Special Olympics organization staff provided guidance and support to ensure that the event will benefit athletes and families in the host country, so as to bring benefits to more people with intellectual disabilities in need.
In addition, there are special sports dance experience area and fusion experience area for athletes to experience, to help athletes swing their bodies, release the tension and pressure of the game.
Walt Disney (China) Co., Ltd. also recruited 23 enthusiastic employees to form a volunteer team. They enjoyed the fun of fusion badminton with the athletes, and brought them intimate assistance throughout the whole process, as well as cute Disney plush toys.
Special Olympics events are not only a competition, but also a show of humanistic care. I hope that after participating in the 2023 Special Olympics Shanghai Badminton Tournament, the athletes can increase their confidence, gain happiness and friendship, and better integrate into society in the future!
Special Olympics International is a global non-profit organization. Through various sports events, health screenings for athletes, and integrated school activities, we are committed to eliminating discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities worldwide and creating inclusive communities. The Special Olympics movement was founded by Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 1968 in the United States and has grown from an initial few hundred athletes to more than 6 million Special Olympics athletes and integration partners in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. With the support of more than 1 million coaches and volunteers around the world, more than 30 Olympic-style sports training, more than 100,000 competitive competitions and other related events are provided throughout the year. The Special Olympic Committee is supported by individuals, foundations and partners, These include the Coca-Cola Company, Rongcheng Group, Sunshine Future Art Education Foundation, Shida Foundation, City Football Group and One Night for Kids, Chinese Culture, NBA, WWE, Bank of America, Christmas Record Trust, Walt Disney, ESPN, Essilor Vision Fund, Grisano Foundation, Special Olympic Committee Law Enforcement Torch Run, Lions Clubs International, Microsoft Corporation, Chevrono Group, Stavros The Niarchos Foundation, Toyota Motor, and United Airlines.
