'Let's play in the Bazaar'. The sports event in Tirana that also engaged children with special needs
2022-07-27 13:00:32
TiranaPost
In the spaces of the New Market, the Municipality of Tirana and Special Olympics Albania organized "Play in the Market", inclusive group games for children with special needs, in the disciplines of football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis and athletics.
Mayor Erion Veliaj also attended to greet the attendees, who underlined that Tirana is the city of opportunities.
"Tirana, as the European Youth Capital, does not belong to some young people, it belongs to all young people! It is not for some children, it is for all children! It's not just the center, it's the whole city! The Tirana that I dream of is a comprehensive Tirana. The parents of these children have the biggest challenge, they have to spend time with them and bring them to such activities, therefore you have all my gratitude and all my respect for the wonderful work you do", he said.
Veliaj emphasized that Albania has changed a lot in recent years and society has become less discriminatory. He also remembered an early friend, Elidon, the Roma boy who, nine years ago, when he had just assumed the position of Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, accompanied him to the hospital to treat his broken leg.
“Ne nuk jemi perfektë sot, por Shqipëria ka ndryshuar këto vitet e fundit. Mbaj mend, në ditën time të parë në ministri, spitalet tona nuk pranonin të kuronin, ose t’i ndërronin plagën, një çuni të vogël rom. Ditën e parë e çova vetë me makinën e ministrisë dhe asokohe thanë se e bëja vetëm për show. Ja ku jemi sot, kanë kaluar 9 vjet, nuk guxon njeri të të diskriminojë se dukesh ndryshe, flet ndryshe, sillesh ndryshe. Sot e kemi ngritur piacën. Pyetja është: Jemi atje ku duhet? Unë besoj se ende s’jemi dhe fakti që duam që të bëhet më mirë do të thotë se s’jemi dorëzuar”, shtoi më tej Veliaj.
The Head of the Municipality underlined that precisely thanks to the change in the state's approach to such phenomena, now children with different abilities are not discriminated against in receiving services in schools or hospitals. About 80 children were activated in these activities, being educated with the values of sports. Also, this event helps in social-cultural diversity, education, and entertainment and inclusion as equals in society of children with special needs.
