MINISTER of Youth, Sport and Art, Elvis Nkandu, says there is a need to enhance sports activities for persons with Intellectual disabilities.

Mr Nkandu notes that persons with intellectual disabilities have a right to be active to boost their mental health.

The Minister was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Youth, Sport and Art Director, John Zulu during the Special Olympics for Children with intellectual disabilities in Chilanga.

Mr Nkandu called on Special Olympics Zambia to work with the ministry in the inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in all sport activities

“As a ministry, we have taken a programme to the local authority called community sport to 116 local authorities and every month, funds will be released to the local authority to develop sport activities,” he said.

Special Olympics Zambia Regional Director, Charles Nyambe, said the inclusion of people with persons with disability in the sport industry is a welcome move.

Mr Nyambe added that people with intellectual disabilities need to be included in all sport activities to ensure that they do not feel left out.

“Every child deserves a chance to learn and explore activities at any given opportunity to ensure that no child is left behind,” he said

Mr Nyambe also stated that the organisation has trained 88 teachers to coach children with intellectual disabilities in various schools. 

“We should not look down on persons with intellectual disabilities, they are human beings like us and they should not be limited in performing activities,” he stressed.