The Special Olympics Kenya team consists of twenty Olympians of the age between 15 and 20 who come from different parts of the County. The team has been training for the last two weeks in preparation for the First Lady’s Beyond Zero Half Marathon set for Sunday, 6th March 2016. The specials Olympians were this morning joined by Airtel employees from both the Kenya and Airtel Africa Group offices led by Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi for a training and interaction session at the University of Nairobi Sports Grounds ahead of the marathon that aims at raising funds to reduce maternal and child mortality. Airtel has entered a strong team of 182 employees in this year’s marathon following a commitment by Airtel Africa CEO Christian de Faria to The First Lady Margaret Kenyatta in November last year when the Company donated a mobile clinic in support of the First Lady’s Beyond Zero campaign. Speaking at the training session, Airtel Kenya CEO Adil El Youssefi said; “Airtel is pleased to support the Special Olympics team to enable to the marathon, to run for a good cause as well as uplift their abilities to realize their full potential in life.” The First Lady’s half marathon -now in its third year is aimed at raising funds for the provision of mobile clinics in order to improve healthcare access in remote areas. This year, the campaign is targeting to have more people participate in the competition following a successful participation of over 15,000 people last year. “We would like to thank Airtel for the support that will give our young special Olympians an opportunity to participate in this year’s Beyond Zero half marathon for the first time. Special Olympics Kenya athletes with intellectual disabilities have continuously demonstrated courage; going beyond their disabilities to show the world that, given the chance, it is possible for one to achieve their dreams. This is the opportunity that Airtel has given them; a chance to join other Kenyans in support of a healthy society by running for a good cause. By participating in the First Lady’s Half Marathon they will give Kenya the opportunity to reach the universal goal of inclusion and remind everyone that disability is not inability,” said the Special Olympics Kenya National Director John Makathimo.
