The Joy of Sports for All
The world watched with bated breath as the athlete tried to do what most of us would deem an effortless move — lightly pushing a rubber ball to hit a target less than a metre away. It was a tremendous effort for the athlete, who had multiple and profound disabilities. Almost 20 minutes later, success. Thunderous applause filled the room, and the athlete’s joy was ineffable.
Such amazing moments, often witnessed at the Special Olympics World Games, exemplify what the Special Olympics Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) is at its very core — providing an inclusive platform for people with multiple and profound disabilities to experience the joy of sports on their own terms.
MATP is designed to allow athletes who cannot compete in traditional Olympics sports the opportunity to participate in training and to be celebrated for their personal best in sports activities.
It helps athletes with profound disabilities develop the mobility and dexterity necessary to compete in customized activities appropriate for their abilities. The program provides personalized training including physical assistance and adapted equipment to all athletes in the program.
Numerous benefits have been observed among athletes who participate in MATP. They include increased physical activity that leads to improvement in motor skills, physical fitness and functional ability. They have more opportunities to perform sporting activities, thus developing a more positive self-image through skill acquisition. They also have greater interaction with others through sports involvement, and more opportunities to develop friendships with other athletes, their families and the larger community.
MATP athletes transfer these benefits into their daily activities at home, and in the community. Bonds strengthen as family members develop a deeper appreciation for and greater confidence in the athlete’s general abilities.
Special Olympics Asia Pacific recently conducted an MATP training workshop to equip physiotherapists from across the region with resources to create simple but fun activities to help athletes with profound disabilities improve their motor skills. They shared best practices, and pledged to impart similar skills to others back home, to impact more lives.
One of the participants Dr Arsalan Younas, from Pakistan, shared a case he had personally encountered through MATP, where he helped a young athlete with profound disabilities complete a simple activity — rolling across the ground. Although it seemed like a simple task to most, the achievement moved his mother to tears.
“That’s the spirit and beauty of MATP,” says Dr Arsalan. “We celebrate every success and milestone, based on the athlete’s terms. To us, these actions may seem small and inconsequential. But to the athlete and the family, they are amazing, memorable achievements to be celebrated and applauded.”
