According to the National Survey on Persons with Disabilities (NSPD) 2021 report, 17,44,820 people have been registered by the government as having intellectual disabilities (as per the guidelines for defining intellectual disabilities). This suggests that a total of 1,744,820 registered individuals could directly benefit from exposure to the Special Olympics movement. Many families do not disclose intellectual disabilities due to feelings of mental inferiority, and it is estimated that the true number is about 2 percent of the entire population. So in reality there are about 3,388,000 people with intellectual disabilities in the country. Currently, Special Olympics Bangladesh is working only in this area. Although we currently have a nationwide presence, we are working to reach out to this population and create awareness nationwide.


Through this grant, we will connect with athletes with intellectual disabilities and unified partners and take steps to enhance their physical and mental capabilities through basic level sports training. This grant will hire 90 of our trained trainers who will focus solely on reaching people with intellectual disabilities, Those who have not been exposed to Special Olympics programming will be invited to join and become familiar with existing sports training opportunities offered in various districts. This grant will provide athletes with the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics programming - sports training/competition - a minimum of one and a maximum of three times. Newly recruited athletes will have the opportunity to train or participate in one of the following sports - Athletics, Football, Cricket, Swimming, Volleyball, Handball, Bocce, Badminton, Table Tennis and Basketball Which is part of Special Olympics Bangladesh's sports offering.


These 90 trainers will work in conjunction with Special Olympics Bangladesh's existing network of coaches and volunteers. This entire project will be managed by a newly appointed Sports Manager with the support of current Special Olympics Bangladesh staff. Under the supervision of the Sports Manager, 90 coaches will be tasked with working with athletes to ensure that every new athlete connected is provided with at least one meaningful sports experience. By collecting accurate data of athletes, it will be stored in a centralized database so that new opportunities can be created for them in the future.