50 coaches trained in badminton and hockey to supervise the mentally handicapped

New supervisors are added to the ranks of Special Olympics Burkina athletes. The structure led by Annick Pickbougoum organized, on Saturday October 12, 2024 in Ouagadougou, a training session for 50 coaches in badminton and floorball (a sport similar to hockey). The objective is to expand the sporting offer accessible to people living with mental disabilities.

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The learning took place on the volleyball court of the Institute of Sports Sciences and Human Development (ISSDH). In the midst of an introduction to badminton and floorball techniques, the participants, divided into small groups, played in an atmosphere that was both studious and relaxed. While some wielded rackets around a net, others practiced with sticks, diving into the practice of these disciplines with enthusiasm.

Supervisors from the two national federations (badminton and floorball) supervised this practical session, which followed a theoretical course given in the morning.

An initiative for better sporting inclusion

Under the leadership of Annick Pickbougoum, president of Special Olympics Burkina Faso, this initiative marks an important step for the institution. “Badminton is the 10th discipline that we have just added to our activities.

We considered it useful to train our supervisors from different sub-programs to relay this practice in the field. We have also initiated around twenty students at the end of the ISSDH cycle so that they can help to disseminate these disciplines to children and young people with disabilities. “, she explains.

Team sports occupy a central place in Special Olympics projects. Pickbougoum specifies: “Who says Olympic sport, speaks of unified disciplines, with teams composed of both intellectually disabled athletes and non-disabled partners. This promotes better integration and allows our athletes to fully participate in sporting activities. ».

The choice of badminton is based not only on its compatibility with local objectives, but also on the strategic partnership between Special Olympics International and the International Badminton Federation.

“Floorball is included in the Special Olympics World Games. Training new coaches allows us to increase the number of teams and supervise more athletes,” recalls Annick Pickbougoum. Since 2017, Burkina Faso has actively participated in these competitions, culminating in a silver medal during the last edition in Austria.

Train to supervise, support and prevent

The training was not limited to technical learning. She also addressed sensitive issues, such as the protection of athletes against abuse. Elements that convinced the learners. “I learned a lot in floorball and badminton.

We were also trained on how to protect our athletes from sexual abuse. We will support our predecessors in physical and sporting activities adapted to people with disabilities. », Testifies Bibata Ilboudo, student at ISSDH.

For Bertrand Tuina, sports director of Special Olympics Burkina, this training will strengthen the supervision of athletes while improving training teaching. “The objective of this training was to strengthen the skills of our supervisors. We insisted on mastery of the regulations and on adapted teaching methods“, he specifies.

With this initiative, Special Olympics Burkina hopes to consolidate its commitment to the inclusion of people living with disabilities. Strengthening the capacities of coaches paves the way for more professional and more human supervision, contributing to achieving the institution’s social and sporting inclusion objectives.

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