Special Olympics Uganda provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 8 Olympic-type sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities 8 years of age or older. Athletes train in their sport, compete at an area level and may progress to the state level of competition.
Sports Offered
1. Athletics
Athletics offers a wide variety of traditional track and field events. Competition is also provided for athletes with lower ability levels in a variety of development track and field events. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.
Athletics was one of the original sports in both Uganda and at the first Special Olympics International Games in Chicago in 1968. Athletes in Uganda who compete in athletics compete locally and Gold medal winners are eligible to advance to the national level competition.
• 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 and 3000 Meter Run
• 100, 400 and 800 Meter Race Walk
• Running Long Jump
• High Jump
• Shotput and Wheelchair Shotput
• Relays – 4X100 and 4X400 Meter Run, 4×25 Meter Wheelchair and 4×100 Meter Walk
• Pentathlon (100, 400 Meter Run, Running Long Jump, High Jump and Shotput)
• 25, 30 Slalom, 100 and 200 Meter Non-Motorized Wheelchair RaceDevelopmental Events
• 10, 25 and 50 Meter Assisted Walk
• Standing Long Jump
• High Jump
• Softball Throw
• Tennis Ball Throw
2. Aquatics
Aquatics, which is considered a lifetime activity, is appropriate for a range of ages and abilities. Competition events are based on a variety of strokes.
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.
Aquatics Events Offered
- Backstroke – 25, 50 and 100 Meter
- Breaststroke – 25, 50, and 100 Meter
- Butterfly – 25, 50 and 100 Meter
- Freestyle – 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 Meter
- Individual Medley – 100 Meter (Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle)
- Relays – 4X25 Meter, 4X50 Meter, 4X100 Meter Freestyle, 4X25 Meter Medley (Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly, Freestyle
3. Floor Hockey
Special Olympics floor hockey is adapted from the games of ice hockey and ringette. Not to be confused with poly hockey, this floor hockey uses straight wooden sticks and felt rings for pucks. Teams are composed of 6 players including a goalie. Athletes have the opportunity to compete on teams or as individuals in the Individual Skills Competition to develop basic floor hockey skills.
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.
Athletes in Uganda who participate in floor hockey compete locally at Area Qualifying events. Teams are then eligible to advance to National level competition at the National Floor Hockey Tournament held in Kampala.
Floor Hockey Events OfferedTraditional
- Team Floor Hockey
Developmental
- Individual Skills Floor Hockey (Shoot Around the Goal, Passing, Stickhandling and Shoot for Accuracy)
4. Volleyball
Volleyball provides the opportunity for athletes to learn the sports skills of the game as well as working with others. Individuals who wish to participate in volleyball can compete in Individual Skills Competition to develop basic volleyball skills. Athletes also have the opportunity to compete with their non-disabled peers on teams in Unified volleyball.
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.
Individuals and teams in Uganda who participate in volleyball compete locally at Area Qualifying events. They are then eligible to advance to national level competition
Traditional
- Team Volleyball
Developmental
- Modified Team Volleyball
- Individual Skills Competition (Forearm Pass, Overhead Set, Serve)
Unified
- Unified Team Volleyball
5. Tennis
A lifetime leisure sport, table tennis provides athletes the opportunity to learn and perform a variety of sports skills. Tennis competition is offered in singles and doubles at various ability levels ranging from traditional tennis to Individual Skills Competition to develop basic table tennis skills. Athletes also have the opportunity to compete with their non-disabled peers in Unified doubles.
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.
Traditional
- Match Play in singles and doubles
Developmental
- Short Court Match Play in singles and doubles
- Individual Skills Competition (Forehand Volley, Backhand Volley, Forehand Ground Stroke, Backhand Ground Stroke, Serve Deuce Court, Serve Advantage Court, Alternating Ground Strokes)
Unified
- Unified Match Play in doubles
6. Power Lifting
Power lifting provides not only a test of strength but also perseverance. Long hours are required to train for competition in this physically demanding sport. Athletes can compete in one, two or three events combined
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate. Power lifters are further divided into groups based on weight.
Athletes in Uganda who participate in power lifting compete locally at Area Qualifying events. Athletes are then eligible to advance to state level competition at the Summer Games held in Normal in June.
Power lifting Events Offered
- Bench Press
- Dead lift
- Squat Lift
- Combined Bench and Dead lift
- Combined Bench, Dead lift and Squat
7. Bocce
Bocce is an ancient sport invented during the Roman Empire. The game combines the skills of bowling with the accuracy of darts. Players try to get their Bocce balls closer to the Pallina (target ball) than their opponents. Individuals can participate in Bocce as a traditional single player or as part of traditional doubles or team. Unified Bocce is available in doubles and team formats. Unified sports combine a Special Olympics athlete with a non-disabled peer as partners or on teams for competition.
As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped into competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender when appropriate.
Athletes in Uganda who participate in Bocce compete locally at a District Qualifying event. Gold medal winners are eligible to advance to state level competition held at the Summer Games held in Normal in June.
Traditional
- Singles competition
- Doubles Competition
- Team Competition
Unified
- Doubles competition
- Team competition