A groundbreaking new partnership signed today will give marginalised groups throughout Africa a greater sporting chance of success in life.

Leading NGOs, Plan International and Special Olympics, are partnering together to bring sport, education, and health opportunities to thousands more children and young adults with intellectual disabilities in some of the most remote parts of Africa. The agreement will mean that Plan will help to establish Special Olympics programmes beyond their mainly urban centres and deep into the continents rural communities.

The partnership brings together health education and the inspiration of the Olympic dream, with Plan's long established experience in targeting marginalised groups and working with children and communities in rural Africa to promote long-term development. It will initially be piloted in Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, before being extended to other countries in Africa and beyond.

"Our aim is to provide the Special Olympics experience, including the health and education benefits to as many as possible" said Mike Smith, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Region, "This is an exciting time for us at Special Olympics, as we seek out like minded strategic partners to build acceptance and strengthen the promotion of rights and dignity for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the region and the world."

Tom Miller, Plan CEO said: "Life is hard for millions of children and young adults throughout Africa, but particularly so for those with disabilities. This partnership provides a real opportunity to provide health, education and inspiration to the tens of thousands who are currently being excluded."

John Dow, Managing Director for Special Olympics Africa added, "Partnering with reputable organisations like Plan International enhances our opportunity to bring even greater services to our current and future athletes and their families throughout the region."

The strength, importance, and potential of the partnership can be summed up in the story of Florence Nabayinda who through Special Olympics has been able to grow to a leader for the movement. Through sports, Nabayinda was given the opportunity to grow as an individual and become accepted in her community. Not only has she represented Uganda on the global level at Special Olympics World Games, but is now a Board of Director, a global spokesperson for the movement and an staff employee for Special Olympics Africa. As Nabayinda shares, "I felt I could do nothing in life - ridiculed as "stupid", forced to quit school, but when I ran I was somebody, and through running and Special Olympics I found my voice."

The agreement comes in the same week that thousand of sports fans descended on Cairo for the 11th Arab Games and a study revealed children in rural areas are missing out on improvements being enjoyed by their urban peers. The study, which is based on the views of 1,000 children in 30 countries, found children were particularly concerned by the lack of opportunities for disabled children.

The partnership was signed in Cairo, Egypt by Ayman Wahab, Managing Director for Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa on behalf of the entire Special Olympics Global movement and was attended by Tom Miller, CEO of Plan, Mike Smith Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Deepali Khanna, Plan's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, and over twenty representatives from the organisations across Africa. There will also be a selection of young athletes in attendance including recent Beijing Olympics competitors.