An inclusive sports event was held at the Rufisque Public Garden in Senegal, bringing together hundreds of children with and without disabilities. The event, organized by the Association Sport pour Tous (Ast), aimed to promote inclusivity and challenge stereotypes surrounding disability. The event featured various parasports, including cecifoot and wheelchair basketball, as well as Olympic-style games. The event was part of the Association's efforts to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for all young people.
The event was attended by Fatou Thioune, President of Ast, who explained that the Association's goal is to break down barriers and reduce disparities between people with and without disabilities. Thioune emphasized that the event was designed to promote inclusivity through practice, rather than just theory. The event was also supported by the Conseil Départemental de Rufisque and the Conseil Régional d'Île-de-France, which has been a strategic partner in the project since 2024.
Frédéric Lagrand, chargé de la coopération at the Conseil Régional d'Île-de-France, emphasized the importance of making sports accessible to all. Lagrand noted that sports play a crucial role in promoting physical and mental health, and that it is essential to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity. He also highlighted the need for continued efforts to promote parasports, citing the example of the Jeux de la Francophonie, which will be held in Dakar.
The event was also supported by Moussa Samb, President of the Association Départementale des Amis et Parents d'Enfants Inadaptés, who served as the event's patron. Samb expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, which aims to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities. The event was part of a broader effort to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for all young people in Senegal.
The Association Sport pour Tous and its partners plan to continue promoting parasports in Senegal, with the goal of increasing participation and awareness. Thioune noted that there is still much work to be done to promote inclusivity, but expressed her optimism about the potential for progress. The event was seen as a positive step towards promoting greater inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.
The event was held in the context of the Jeux Olympiques de la Jeunesse (JOJ) Dakar 2026, which will feature parasports competitions. Lagrand noted that there is an opportunity to build on the momentum generated by the JOJ to promote parasports and inclusivity in Senegal. The event was seen as an important step towards achieving this goal.
Overall, the inclusive sports event at the Rufisque Public Garden was seen as a success, promoting greater awareness and understanding of disability and inclusivity. The event demonstrated the potential for sports to bring people together and challenge stereotypes, and highlighted the importance of continued efforts to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities for all.
Key points
- The event promoted inclusivity and challenged stereotypes surrounding disability.
- The Association Sport pour Tous aims to break down barriers and reduce disparities between people with and without disabilities.
- The event was part of a broader effort to promote parasports and inclusivity in Senegal.
