BERLIN, Germany — Minister of Sport Olivia Grange says her being drafted into the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion is a clear indication of the support provided for people with intellectual disabilities in Jamaica.

The coalition, officially announced in Berlin on Saturday, is said to bring together governments, industry, philanthropy and the development community. It is a pioneering multilateral effort aimed at increasing inclusive practices in education for sport.

The inaugural government members include Jamaica, Egypt, Gibraltar, Mongolia, Montenegro, China, Ghana, Kenya, Iceland, Malta, Panama, South Africa, Seychelles, and the United Arab Emirates.

“To be the only member from the region, it is really special. Jamaica is honoured to be among that select group of countries, and honoured to be the one leading the Caribbean in this global coalition,” said Grange, who was in Berlin to attend a high-level Special Olympics leadership meeting and to support Jamaica’s athletes competing at the 2023 World Games.

“It speaks volumes to the work being done in Jamaica. In this very important initiative, it’s a tall order and I’ll make every effort to live up to it,” she said.

The Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) programme is considered a model for Caribbean countries because of its decades-long partnership with the Jamaican Government.

SOJ is active in each of Jamaica’s 14 parishes, serving over 4,000 people with intellectual disabilities.

Special education and sport-related programmes, which cater to people with disabilities, are supported through partnerships with the Government and the private sector.

Grange had previously told the Jamaica Observer that the global coalition — which is funded by a grant from the Greek-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation — will facilitate increased programme support for people with intellectual disabilities in Jamaica.

On an international scale, the commitment from members is projected to contribute to an expansion of inclusive sports and education opportunities for over two million people in more than 180 countries.

“As a nation, we are committed to expand the reach and impact of inclusive sports in schools, serving as a key educational tool in youth development, teacher education and community building,” she noted during the leadership meeting in Berlin.