For me it is a very special occasion. Tottenham Hotspur and Special Olympics are both very close to my heart and so to see Spurs take on a bigger role globally with Special Olympics is fantastic.
Ossie Ardiles, Spurs legend and Co-Chair of Special Olympics Global Football initiative
On September 11th 2009, UK Premier League Club, Tottenham Hotspur became the UK’s first Global Football Ambassador for the Special Olympics movement.
In this role the Club is using the power of football to promote respect, acceptance and inclusion of young people with learning disabilities as part of the Special Olympics Global Football initiative.
Tottenham Hotspur dedicated their September 12th game at White Hart Lane against Manchester United to celebrate the announcement.
According to Daniel Levy, Tottenham Hotspur Chairman: “Through the work of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation the Club has established a great relationship with Special Olympics Great Britain, which has enabled us to become their first Global Ambassador in the UK. It is a great privilege for the Club to be able to use its worldwide appeal to promote inclusion in sport and raise the profile of Special Olympics.”
Within the Global Team Ambassador role Tottenham Hotspur are seeking to involve supporters, coaches and partners as part of the promotion of inclusion for people with learning disability in sport.
The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation continues to support Special Olympics within their current role as the official Grassroots Football Provider - which has seen the Foundation deliver coaching clinics for Special Olympics athletes in the UK, China and throughout Europe.
Special Olympics Global Football aims to create a network of ten teams by the end of 2010, which will bring the football community together to promote inclusion and raise the profile of the Special Olympics year-round programme. Tottenham Hotspur is the second team to be signed up as an ambassador partner with Serie A Club Inter Milan being the first earlier this year.
ENDS