Praia, Jun 8 (Inforpress) - Cape Verdean international paralympic athlete Marilson Semedo said today that national institutions and organisations have engaged and created policies of inclusion through sport.
The statement was made in statements to the press ahead of his speech at the conference on "Diversity and inclusion in sport", organised as part of the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the Association of Portuguese-speaking Olympic Committees (ACOLOP).
"Lately, we've seen a lot of commitment and effort from institutions and organisations to ensure inclusion through sport, so that everyone feels integrated," noted Marilson Semedo, considering sport and physical activity to be a "tool" for inclusion.
According to the athlete, implementing policies and carrying out inclusive activities will make everyone feel integrated, included and part of a society.
He therefore praised the work being done by ACOLOP, as well as the Olympic and Paralympic platforms, to promote equality between athletes and sports.
The event, which was moderated by former basketball player and journalist Victor Hugo Fortes, also included the participation of Jailma Oliveira, secretary general of the Cape Verde Paralympic Committee (COPAC), boxer Nancy Moreira, former Olympic athlete Elayne Boal and Cristina Almeida, director of studies and projects at the Portuguese Olympic Committee.
ACOLOP is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the Olympic movement in the Portuguese-speaking world, with the aim of contributing to the promotion of peace and development through sport and the dissemination of Olympic values and ideals.
Officially founded on 8 June 2004 in Lisbon, it is made up of 12 countries from the Portuguese-speaking community.
Source: Marilson Semedo says institutions have focused on inclusion policies through sport - INFORPRESS
