3 May 2023
The Jan Vertonghen Foundation, in collaboration with Special Olympics Belgium, has introduced an interactive football wall at Donkerlei Park in Mechelen. Children with and without disabilities enjoyed a day of sports, led by Jan Vertonghen.
Starting today, the Yalp Sutu will shine for six months in Donkerlei Park, Mechelen. Thanks to a competition organized by the Jan Vertonghen Foundation, Buurtsport won the interactive football wall, which was inaugurated today. Jan Vertonghen gave the participating children—both with and without disabilities—the day of their lives by kicking off the unified play session. This unified day was organized in collaboration with our partner Special Olympics Belgium.
Jan Vertonghen Foundation and Special Olympics Belgium join forces for inclusion on the sports field
With a specially developed sports program, the Jan Vertonghen Foundation and Special Olympics Belgium teach children, through sports and games, how to interact with people with intellectual disabilities. Both organizations aim to promote a more inclusive society. Along with 10 Special Olympics athletes, children from Buurtsport Mechelen kicked off the first session, led by none other than Red Devil Jan Vertonghen.
The Foundation and Special Olympics Belgium share the mission to provide children with and without intellectual disabilities more opportunities to play and sport together, bringing out the best in every child through sports and games. Both organizations firmly believe that sports help break down barriers and make it easier for people to connect and accept each other. That’s why we created a program where Buurtsport children play sports alongside Special Olympics athletes.
“Through sports and games, we aim to build a bridge between children with and without disabilities to show that everyone is equal because every child is special!”
A lesson from a Red Devil
During the program, young participants receive a football initiation from Jan Vertonghen, using the interactive football wall. Pressure-sensitive panels register movements and provide auditory and visual instructions, challenging children to aim at light-up targets within a set time. The children then complete a sports course together, learning to work in pairs. Finally, they play a match against each other in mixed teams, and each child receives a medal at the end of the day.
“Everyone enjoys sports and games. We show children what they have in common and, by extension, that they are equal. Through these games, children without disabilities also come to appreciate the strengths of people with intellectual disabilities rather than focusing on their limitations. By allowing children with and without intellectual disabilities to play sports together at a young age, we can create mutual understanding and respect, building the inclusive society of tomorrow today.”
