Special Olympics is the largest Sports Organization in the World. It was established in 1968 in USA by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Since then, the organization has kept growing and is now spread across 190 countries. The main aim of the Special Olympics movement is to transform the lives of intellectually challenged people through sports. It provides opportunities to intellectually challenged people to demonstrate their courage and willingness to overcome barriers they encounter in their lives.

The Bangladesh Chapter of Special Olympics was inaugurated in 1994. Mr. Ashraf Dowla was the founder Chairman of Special Olympics Bangladesh. It is run by a Board of Directors who are all responsible members of society and keen to make positive changes in the lives of these children. Our mission is to provide year-round sport training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities and give them opportunities to develop their physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate along with their families, other SO Bangladesh athletes and community members.Our vision as well is to reach out to individuals with intellectual disabilities and help them become useful and productive citizens, accepted and respected in their communities.

 SO Bangladesh believes that its program of sports training and competition can help people with intellectual disabilities become physically fit and grow mentally and socially. We believe that consistent training is required to develop the sports skills of such people.

We operate the activities of Special Olympics throughout 64 districts of Bangladesh and currently have 21 sub-chapters in the district level. We offer 12 different sports (Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Cricket, Football, Floor Hockey, Floorball, Handball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball) for the athletes. All of these games management are supported by our partners (National Sports Federations, BKSP, Sub-Chapters and local volunteers at district level).

Special Olympics Bangladesh is not only just a sports organization- we genuinely transform lives through sports opportunities, health activities, leadership training, fitness programming and mental well-being. SOBD was recognized as a Special Olympics Healthy Community on 2017 and 2019. Persons with ID are benefited through the Special Olympics movement and its effect is multifarious. In the last 30 years we have trained more than 70,000 athletes, 8000 families, 4500 volunteers and 5000 local coaches in various sports. Our special athletes have unparalleled record of success in successive International Competitions and have earned laurels for Bangladesh again and again.

To strengthen the Special Olympics Movement in Bangladesh, we organize and/or participate in the following activities every year:

1. Training of Athletes in 12 different sports and games- Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Bocce, Cricket, Floor Hockey, Floorball, Football, Handball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball
   2. Divisional talent hunt and competition programs
   3. National Games
   4. Unified Sports training
   5. Unified Sports Inter School Competitions
   6. Work with Schools, Colleges, Universities to develop Unified Sports and Unified Living activities
   7. Weekly Fitness Programs
   8. Young Athletes Training Program in all 64 Districts
   9. Local Coaches Training Programs
   10.  Advance Coaches Training in different countries
   11. Healthy Athletes Program
   12. Healthy Community Activities and Follow-up Care
   13. National Family Input Council (NFIC) Activities
   14. Opening of New Sub-Chapters in Districts
   15. Rehabilitation Program for ID Persons
   16. Athlete Leadership Training Programs
   17. Volunteers Training Programs
   18. Family Awareness Programs
   19. Family Health Forum
   20. Regular Motor Activity Training Programs (MATP)
   21. Regular Healthy Athletes Program for Health Screening and follow up care.
   22. International Special Olympics Competitions at Dhaka.
   23 Special Olympics World Games and Special Olympics International Competitions.
   24. Special Olympics International Conferences, Seminars & Workshops.
   25. Connecting Partners for Sustainability Activities.