Dhiraagu has announced a strategic partnership with Special Olympics Maldives to launch a regional sports development programme aimed at empowering children and young people with intellectual disabilities through inclusive sport, structured training, and sustained community engagement. Special Olympics International is a global movement dedicated to improving lives through sport, and Special Olympics Maldives serves as its national affiliate, supporting athletes and families while advancing opportunities for participation, confidence, and social inclusion across the country. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening equitable access to sport and promoting environments where every child can develop their potential through positive, team-driven experiences.
The first regional programme will be introduced in G.Dh. Thinadhoo and will run for six months, bringing structured, community-based training to the atoll and supporting up to 60 athletes and their families. Designed as a weekly engagement platform, the programme will be delivered under the Special Olympics Fit5 curriculum, a holistic framework that combines physical fitness with practical wellbeing guidance, including nutrition and hydration, while integrating adaptive sports training tailored to athletes’ needs. Family involvement is a core feature of the programme, helping to create supportive routines at home and strengthening long-term outcomes by ensuring athletes are encouraged beyond the training sessions. The approach also prioritises capability building within the community by developing local coaches and volunteers, enabling the programme to create lasting value and sustained participation well after the initial cycle concludes.
Ibrahim Rameez, Chairperson of Special Olympics Maldives, highlighted the wider progress achieved through longstanding inclusive sports initiatives, noting that the Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival has played an important role in promoting inclusion and equality in sport. He stated that Maldivian athletes with disabilities now proudly represent the nation on major international stages, and that initiatives such as the Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival have helped broaden inclusive sporting pathways. He added that the new programme in G.Dh. Thinadhoo, delivered in partnership with Dhiraagu, is expected to further strengthen and extend these efforts nationwide by expanding consistent training access and developing grassroots capacity in communities outside the capital.
Mirshan Hassan, Director of Brand & Marketing Communications at Dhiraagu, emphasised that the programme builds on Dhiraagu’s established commitment to inclusive sport and reflects the company’s belief that every child deserves access to opportunities that support development and wellbeing. He explained that by working closely with Special Olympics Maldives, Dhiraagu aims to support sustainable programmes that empower communities and reinforce advocacy for inclusion. With more than eight years of championing inclusive sport through the Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival in Malé, Dhiraagu reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives that generate meaningful social impact, promote inclusion, and uplift individuals across the Maldives, aligned with its broader mission to connect and strengthen communities nationwide.
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