Special Olympics Zambia - ZM

Join the movement, don't worry about 16:40, its never too late to be part of the movement.

Kabwe set the tone alive with energy, purpose, and unstoppable spirit as Special Olympics Zambia hosted impactful Advancement Games that are shaping the future of our athletes.

The event was proudly represented by Mr. Mabuku, Deputy National Director, together with Special Olympics Zambia staff. The Games were graced by the Guest of Honor, Maureen Mpundu, District Education Standards Officer (DESO), whose presence highlighted the strong partnership between education and inclusive sport. She was joined by Mrs. Kamana, Education Standards Officer (Special Education), and the Deputy Head Teacher from Mine Secondary School Mr. Denial Gondwe, all showing growing support for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

These Advancement Games serve as a key pathway to select the Central Province team for the upcoming National Games. From there, outstanding athletes will have the opportunity to represent Zambia at the Special Olympics World Games in Santiago, Chile in October 2027. other games include the Region 5 Games in Maputo this December.

Athletes competed with passion and determination across:
⚽ Football (7-a-side)
🎯 Bocce
🏃 Athletics (100m, long jump)

More than just competition, the games were a celebration of courage, unity, and rising talent from our communities.
And this is just the beginning.

Lusaka, Mongu, and Livingstone get ready. Your turn is next. The journey continues, and the call is clear: be ready to rise, compete, and shine.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞.
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐋𝐚𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐥.

Dr. Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, will receive the 2026 Laetare Medal at the University of Notre Dame’s 181st University Commencement Ceremony on May 17, 2026.

The Laetare Medal the oldest and most distinguished honor given exclusively to American Catholics has been awarded annually by the University of Notre Dame since 1883 to individuals whose contributions have enriched the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church, and advanced the common good.

Shriver is being recognized for his lifelong commitment to advancing dignity, inclusion, and opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities through his leadership of the global Special Olympics movement.

Shriver’s connection to the Laetare Medal is also deeply personal. He is the only recipient in Notre Dame’s history whose parents were both Laetare Medalists. Eunice Kennedy Shriver received the medal in 1988 for founding Special Olympics, and his father, Robert Sargent Shriver, was honored in 1968 for founding the Peace Corps. Shriver’s uncle, President John F. Kennedy, also received the medal in 1961.

Established at Notre Dame in 1883, the Laetare Medal was conceived as an American counterpart to the Golden Rose, a papal honor dating back to the 11th century. The medal is awarded to a Catholic “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the Church and enriched the heritage of humanity.”

Previous recipients include Dorothy Day, Walker Percy, Sister Helen Prejean, Martin Sheen, and Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, among many others.

For Shriver, the recognition reflects not only his work but the millions of athletes, volunteers and supporters who make up the Special Olympics movement.

“I think it’s being given to me as a placeholder for the people who are doing the work every day,” Shriver told Notre Dame. “It’s being given so that the athlete running a race this afternoon and their family cheering at the finish line knows the world is paying attention.”

Special Olympics Zambia - ZM during the special Olympics African leadership conference

The ongoing special Olympics African leadership conference.

Catch up with the remaining days...

Bocce is an Italian game. The basic principle of the sport is to roll a bocce ball closest to the target ball, which is called a palina.

Bocce as a Special Olympics sport provides people with special needs the opportunity to have social contact, develop physically and to gain self-confidence.

Next to soccer and golf, bocce is the third most participated sport in the world.

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