A team from the United Kingdom (UK) is touring Nakuru County schools of People with Disabilities (PWDs) intending to partner with the institutions.
The team which is led by Anthony Mwaura, who was a former teacher in one of the schools in the county, and Ms Tania Myres, said they are benchmarking on how special schools conduct their games, and share ideas on how their sporting activities would be improved.
Mr Mwaura said the benefits of physical activities for PWDs are enormous since they improve their stamina and muscle strength.
He added that sports reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, increases general feelings of well-being, and controls the swelling of the joints associated with arthritis.
Ms Myres said sports are vital for all learners irrespective of their status as they enhances character development hence the need for the inclusion and involvement of PWD students in the same.
The Nakuru County Chief Officer for Resource Mobilisation, Alex Maina, hailed the UK group and assured them of support from the county government in their endeavor to improve extra-curriculum activities for PWDs schools in the region.
Also, the officer applauded Mr Mwaura for remembering the needs of local schools and wanting to assist and improve them, despite having migrated to the UK, where he currently teaches.
Mr Maina assured the UK delegation that they are ready to remove all barriers to sports participation, and physical activities will be prioritised in all the special schools adding they also intend to create awareness of the health benefits of sports for special learners.
However, he noted that the major challenge for effective sporting activities in special schools was limited equipment, adding that the envisioned partnership with the special schools in the UK would greatly assist in alleviating the shortage.
By Veronica Bosibori
