Special Olympics Rwanda launches nationwide coach training ahead of 2027 World Games

Special Olympics Rwanda has launched a four-day Unified Coach Training program aimed at strengthening inclusive sports development and improving support for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the country.

The training, taking place from May 19 to 22, 2026 at Stade Amahoro in Kigali, brings together 50 coaches selected from universities, inclusive schools, special schools and local communities throughout Rwanda.

Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the initiative is part of a broader effort to expand professional coaching standards and improve athlete-centered sports programs nationwide.

The workshop is being facilitated by Joe Mutua, Programme Development Manager at Special Olympics Africa, who is leading sessions on Unified Sports methodology, athlete safeguarding, inclusive coaching techniques and competition preparation for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Opening the training, Director General of Sports Development at the Ministry of Sports, Gilbert Muvunyi Manier, praised the institutions and participants involved in the program and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting sports opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

He emphasized that trained coaches would play a major role in helping athletes feel included within Rwandan society through sport and community participation.

Special Olympics Rwanda Vice Chair Dr. Uwera Claudine said the organization intends to use the training to prepare athletes for the 2027 Special Olympics World Games scheduled to take place in Santiago, Chile.

“We believe Rwanda can compete for medals and continue making the country proud internationally,” she added.

Founded in 2002, Special Olympics Rwanda has grown into one of the country’s leading organizations promoting social inclusion through sports.

Accredited by Special Olympics International, the organization currently supports more than 20,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities across all 30 districts of Rwanda.

The organization also works with more than 1,000 volunteers, over 890 active family members and hundreds of trained coaches.

Through Unified Sports programs, athletes with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together, helping reduce discrimination while building confidence, teamwork and social integration.

Worldwide, Special Olympics operates in more than 190 countries and serves millions of athletes through year-round sports training and competitions.

The movement was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver to promote dignity, equality and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through sports participation.

In Rwanda, the movement continues expanding rapidly through partnerships with schools, communities and government institutions.

Special Olympics Rwanda currently organizes more than 900 competitions annually across six sporting disciplines, including athletics, basketball, football, volleyball, swimming and bocce.

The final day of the training will include a live Unified Sports competition involving more than 40 athletes and Unified Partners from various schools.

Participants will gain practical experience by organizing and managing competitions in basketball, football, athletics and bocce.

Officials believe the program will help create a stronger national network of qualified coaches capable of developing future athletes and strengthening Rwanda’s participation at continental and global Special Olympics competitions.

Photos

Director General of Sports Development at the Ministry of Sports, Gilbert Muvunyi Manier

Special Olympics Rwanda Vice Chair Dr. Uwera Claudine

Special Olympics Rwanda Treasurer, Mr. Silver BUREGEYA

MUHIRE Patrick Guevara, Special Olympics Rwanda Secretary General and acting National Director

Joe Mutua, Programme Development Manager at Special Olympics Africa