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Sport is often described as a universal language — but for many, access to play still falls out of reach. In India and Kenya, two initiatives supported through the Olympism365 Hub — a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Women Win and Beyond Sport — are changing that.
They create spaces where women with intellectual disabilities and children with visual impairments are not just included, but seen, supported and able to take part in sports on their own terms.
From rural districts in West Bengal to school grounds across Kenya, the impact is clear: when sport is designed with intention, it quickly shifts confidence, connection and how people see themselves.
Reclaiming Space in West Bengal
In eastern India, Tarapur Social Development Society (TSDS), in partnership with Special Olympics Bharat West Bengal, Civilian Welfare Foundation and Spriha Society, runs year-round sports programs for 600 women with intellectual disabilities — placing them, as Renaissan, who leads the project at TSDS, puts it, “on the playing field instead of at the margins.”
The context is stark. Baseline data from the program shows that more than 95% of participants have experienced some form of gender-based violence, often involving someone they know. Here, sport does more than fill time — it creates space to feel safe, rebuild confidence and take back control.
“As a woman leader, using sport in this way feels like reclaiming public spaces,” says Renaissan. “The playing field becomes a platform where women feel safe and respected.”
Sessions include kabaddi, boccia, football and badminton, but the focus goes further. It combines sport with health monitoring and psychosocial support — and the impact is visible almost immediately.
Girls who once stayed on the sidelines now arrive early. They remind coaches about warm-ups. They pull quieter teammates into the group. Energy builds. Interaction grows. Ownership follows.
“We have seen girls who were once labeled ‘incapable’ now take the lead — on and off the field.” — Renaissan
Those shifts carry into daily life. Coaches and caregivers report more independence, clearer communication and stronger emotional control. Some families who once hesitated now fully support participation — proudly introducing their daughters as athletes.
That shift matters, especially given the barriers these women face. Around 65% come from tribal communities in rural areas, where disability, gender and geography limit access to opportunity.
TSDS and their collaborative team of expert partners do more than increase participation in sport. They’ve built a space where women grow in confidence, form relationships and develop a stronger sense of belonging — on the field and beyond it.
Designing Access in Kenya
In Kenya, Alive & Kicking focuses on a different but equally persistent barrier: access to sport for children with visual impairments.
Through locally made sound balls — designed to make noise so players can track them — and goalball equipment, alongside coaching and teacher training, more students now take part in school sport in a meaningful way, often for the first time.
“So far, we’ve seen increased participation in school games, restoring dignity and confidence among the children,” says Grace, who leads inclusive play initiatives at Alive & Kicking. “It’s not just about play — it’s about access, acceptance, dignity and inclusivity.”
Working with the Kenya Sports Association for the Visually Impaired (KESAVI), the program reaches more schools and strengthens the foundation for inclusive sport. More than 400 sound balls and 45 goalballs have already been distributed through trainings and national competitions.
The difference shows up quickly. Teachers feel more confident delivering inclusive sessions. Students become more active, more visible and more engaged — not just taking part, but competing.
“For them, it represents normalcy, social inclusion and opportunity. Some are now champions in the school games.” — Grace
Before this, many schools had little or no access to the right equipment. Some teachers improvised without formal training. By addressing both gaps, the program makes participation more consistent — and more sustainable.
It also shifts perception. Parents show more support. Teachers feel better equipped. Students show up differently — with more confidence, stronger social connections and a clearer sense of belonging.
There is still work to do. In some areas, fewer girls than boys take part, shaped by cultural expectations and lower confidence. Closing that gap remains a key next step.
More Than a Game
It shows up in small, visible ways.
A young woman in West Bengal learns to hold her ground on a kabaddi court. A student in Kenya steps into a school competition with confidence. These moments may seem small, but they point to something bigger.
When people gain access to sport in a way that works for them, it changes how they see themselves. Over time, it changes how others see them too.
That is what these initiatives build toward — not just access, but belonging.
And from there, it starts to change what feels possible.
Through the Olympism365 Hub, that impact is building across a global network of innovators. Today, 94% of those involved report greater confidence to innovate, while 82% are reaching more people and communities through the Hub’s support.
Invest in the Olympism365 Innovation Hub
Cultivate an ecosystem of innovators and social enterprises across the sport, social impact and tech sectors through The Olympism365 Hub. Launched with seed funding provided by the IOC, Beyond Sport and Women Win are seeking partners to drive further innovation.
If you are interested in investing in The Olympism365 Hub and our innovators, contact us at [email protected].
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