Down Syndrome Foundation marks 18th inter-house sports

There were rare sporting skills and athleticism on display as the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria held its 2025 inter-house sports competition, featuring students under the aegis of the organisation in Lagos, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.

The 18th edition of the event was held at the Ansarudeen Grammar School, Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos on Thursday, with other special and conventional schools also invited to take part.

Aside from the special athletic spectacle that the event provided, it was also an avenue to raise awareness about the need of people with intellectual disabilities.

The National Administrator, Down Syndrome Foundation, Nigeria, Nike Denis, highlighted the social integration impact of the inter-house sports.

“We do this as part of activities marking the World Down Syndrome Day which comes up March 21. This is to create awareness about this disability, so that there is social integration and inclusivity.

“Through our advocacy, we have more people joining us to be part of this. A lot more still needs to be done and we will get there,” Denis told journalists at the event.

The National President of the foundation, Rose Mordi, also highlighted the major challenge facing people with intellectual disability.

“There is just one challenge that has been consistently ongoing, and that is putting the right structure in place for people with intellectual disability. Our kids have been left behind because there is no structure in place by the government for them to be included in the scheme of things,” Mordi lamented.

“It’s part of the social integration for our children and I feel happy that the parents are more involved unlike before. That is also helping the children to have that sense of belonging that they are appreciated,” she added.

To completement the efforts of the foundation, the PTA, headed by Bunmi Sosina also rallied the parents to provide an unprecedented support.

Partners of the foundation in bringing the event to life, Linkage Assurance and NSIA Insurance also noted that their involvement is beyond corporate social responsibility, as they see the need to continually support the children.

The inter-house sports featured events like march past, sack race, 100m as well as 50m races, tug of war and relay races for invited schools.

At the end of the contest, Red House emerged champions, edging Yellow House by a tiny margin while Yellow House and Blue House completed the order.