On this edition of PlayitDreamitTuesday, 27 October, 2020. We have with us Ms. Marisa Fernandez Esteban, Deputy Head of the Sport unit, Directorate-General for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, at European Commission and she will be discussing,  “how sport can be used to empower disabled women and how to improve disabled sports”.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY.

Q1: In our world today, people with disabilities face a lot of challenges. So, what challenges do persons with disabilities face in sports?
A1. People with disabilities face 2 type of barriers, which are ;

1. Lack of adapted equipment and facilities.
2. Coaches lack the necessary skills.

Q2: So, what can be done to overcome these barriers?
A2: Access to sport of people with disabilities done of the priorities of the European work programme for sport, providing adaptable equipment and facilities will go a long way in increasing access to sports for persons with disabilities.

In Europe, we are committed to facilitate access to sport of people with disabilities through European sport . The sport chapter of the Erasmus programme promotes grassroots sport and funds many projects that support the access of people with disabilities to sport.

Q3: Moving forward, How can sports be used to empower disabled women?
A3: Sport can positively impact their health and wellbeing, individual development and self-esteem. It can also improve their employability thanks to the development of soft skills.

Very true, It has been seen that sports changes the person with disability and empowers him/her to realize their full potentials.

Q4: We all know that sport organizations play a key role in promoting sports, but are they doing enough in including persons with disabilities  in their program?
A4: Despite the number of programs and funding available there is still room for improvement. Awareness raising, funding schemes and coach training can go a long way in facilitating access  disability to sport.

Q5: So how can a wider variety of organizations be encouraged to include persons with disabilities in their sport programmes?
A5: Awareness raising, specific funding schemes and training for coaches can support sport organizations in including people with disabilities.

Moving forward to our next question.

Q6: What are the most effective ways of including persons with disabilities in sport?
A6: The development of inclusive types of sport facilities, mixing disable and able-bodied participants.

Wow! I look forward in seeing that come to play. 

Q7:  Marisa Fernandez, how is your work at the European Commission impacting Sport for development ?
A7: International cooperation is one of the key priorities for the European Commission. Dialogue with international organizations and third countries is at the core of European Sport policy.

Q8: Now to our final question for today. Do you have affiliates in Africa? If yes, what works have you been able to do?
A8: We have a dedicated action “exchanges and mobility in sport” involving partners from countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa. We have 5 successful African projects.  You may find a reference to a few of the projects Here

There will be more funding opportunities for international cooperation in the field of European sport in the future programme.

And this will be all on today’s edition. Join us next week for another exciting edition.

Also read: Playitdreamittuesday-volunteering-a-tool-for-change