Providing special memories

By Pete Sanderson

No matter what level it is played at the game of football never fails to conjure special moments, whether it be Marco van Basten's exquisite volley at the 1988 UEFA European Championship, Zinedine Zidane's wonder goal in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League final or simply a tap-in on your debut for your local team.

Wonderful save
One such moment transpired in a friendly during the UEFA Special Olympics earlier this month. A forward burst through on goal before unleashing a seemingly unstoppable shot towards the top corner of the goal. The watching crowd looked on dumbfounded as the ball was miraculously turned wide of the post by the home goalkeeper.

Memorable embrace
No one could deny the shot was good and the save even better. But it was the embrace which ensued which will live longer in the memory of all the spectators. The striker picked himself up and ran, arms outstretched and gave the keeper an almighty hug, congratulating him on his heroic save.

Brave attempt
It was a moment which spoke volumes for the game of football and, more pertinently, for the Special Olympics - an event whose motto certainly rang true in this particular game: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." The friendly between UEFA and the Special Olympics Football Week players at the Colovray stadium, opposite UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, was just one of many of the events going on around the globe as a project founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver goes from strength to strength.

Huge victory
The game may have ended 1-1 but few would deny the day itself was a winner for all concerned. Not only did it give UEFA staff an opportunity to witness first hand what an important role football can play in social integration, it also provided the perfect example of why disabled players should not be excluded from playing football at any level.

Development project
Football Week is one of the highlights of the Special Olympics football development project that aims to increase the number of disabled participants to 50,000 by the end of this year, a scheme which is fully supported by European football's governing body. "UEFA is pleased to continue to support the Special Olympics European Football Week," said UEFA CEO Lars-Christer Olsson. "Football Week has proved to be a highly inclusive initiative that brings many new opportunities to players with intellectual disabilities."

Fifth edition
This was the fifth Special Olympics European Football week in which a record 40,000 players with intellectual disabilities participated in more than 50 countries throughout Europe/Eurasia. "Each year we continue to see the expansion of the Football Week," said Michael Smith, managing director of the Brussels-based office of Special Olympics. "The legacy of Football Week will be a greater understanding of the gifts and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities throughout Europe."

This year's events
Other events in the 2005 edition of the project included the launch of 'SO Get Into It' - the Special Olympics school curriculum that encourages understanding, tolerance and acceptance among young people - and 'Unified Football' in which players with and without disabilities play on the same team. In addition there is further emphasis on grassroots football development, particularly in Eastern Europe. Doubtless there will be plenty of wonderful memories being created thanks to this scheme - somewhere near you.