The National Bank of Kenya (NBK) has unveiled a KES1 million sponsorship to Special Olympics Kenya (SOK) ahead of the Special Olympics World Winter Games set to take place in Turin, Italy, from March 7 to March 16, 2025.
The funds will go towards facilitating the team’s preparations and travel as they gear up to compete on the global stage. The World Winter Games, set to take place in the Piedmont Region, will bring together over 1,500 athletes from more than one hundred countries, marking the first edition of the event since 2017.
Speaking on the sponsorship, NBK managing director George Odhiambo noted that the Bank is committed towards empowering the sports community which aligns with its broader sustainability agenda.
“Sports plays a powerful unifying role, and we are honoured to support our athletes with Intellectual Disability as they prepare to represent Kenya on the global stage. This sponsorship underscores our belief in the power of sports to drive positive social change and create opportunities for all”, said Odhiambo.
The team will depart for Turin on March 6, 2025, and will compete at the World Winter Games that will see athletes battle across eight different sports. Their participation underscores Kenya’s growing presence in winter sports, setting the stage for an exciting global competition. They are expected back in the country on March 17, 2025.
Special Olympics Kenya is part of the global Special Olympics movement, which operates in over 190 countries. Established in 1978, Special Olympics Kenya provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. NBK’s support will go a long way in ensuring Team Kenya’s successful participation in the Winter Games.
Special Olympics Kenya Board treasurer welcomed the partnership, highlighting its impact on the athletes’ preparation and participation in the Games.
“We are grateful for NBK’s support, which will go a long way in ensuring that our athletes are well-prepared to compete at the World Games level. This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in creating an inclusive society where athletes with intellectual disabilities can thrive”, said Ms Mugadi.
Floorball is a versatile indoor team sport developed in the 1970s in Sweden, played in a rink with five field players plus a goalkeeper in each team. Floorball is played with plastic sticks and a light ball and with a goalkeeper without a stick.
It has similarities with ice hockey sport, and the main objective is to score more goals than the opposite team. For Special Olympics, the game is slightly modified from the “regular” form of Floorball. Matches are played 3 versus 3 with goalkeepers on a smaller court that measures 20m long by 12m wide.
