Unified Sports Promotes Inclusion - Southwest Oklahoma Hosts Special Olympics Unified Basketball Tournament

The Special Olympics Unified Basketball Tournament was held in Lawton, Oklahoma, where teams from all over Southwest Oklahoma gathered to participate in this unique event. The tournament is part of the Unified Sports program, which started in 2013 to promote inclusion through sports. In this program, athletes with intellectual disabilities and their non-disabled peers play together as a team.

Jerri Santos, a member of the Great Plains area Special Olympics team, shared that the kids benefit from these games by forming friendships, creating a more inclusive community in schools, and building confidence in themselves. “It’s just something I’m very passionate about,” she said.

The tournament was a great success, and the players and partners had an incredible experience. Kourtney Knutson, a senior who has been playing as a partner since sixth grade, shared her experience, “Seeing the smile on their face and just allowing them to be accepted and welcomed like all other athletes.”

Joslyn Lockhart, another partner, also expressed her joy in playing the sport she loves with kids that share her interest. “It just opens windows to get to know people better,” she said.

Collaboration for a Common Cause

The success of the event was made possible by the collaboration of different organizations. Glen Gatling from ‘All About Understanding’ provided referees and kept score of the games. Gatling believes that anything that goes on with the youth, they want to collaborate with the community and be involved.

Unified Sports events like this one in Lawton, Oklahoma, are important in promoting inclusion and breaking down barriers. They show that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can play and participate in sports and form meaningful relationships through them. These events encourage a more inclusive community that values diversity and respects individual differences.

Unified Sports is a worldwide program that brings people together through sports. It includes various sports such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball, among others. The program aims to provide an opportunity for individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to play together, learn from each other, and promote social inclusion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Special Olympics Unified Basketball Tournament in Southwest Oklahoma was a testament to the power of sports in creating a more inclusive and welcoming community. The success of the event shows that when different organizations collaborate for a common cause, they can make a significant impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and their non-disabled peers. Unified Sports is a program that is worth supporting, as it promotes diversity, inclusion, and equality through sports.