Inclusive Sports
A New Era of Inclusive Sport in Bhutan
Summary | Special Olympics Bhutan is changing how students with and without intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD) play sports together. In 2024, the program joined the national Olympic committee, giving it more support and resources. The country’s goal is to bring this program to most of its schools by 2030. Instead of just focusing on winning, Bhutan uses these games to promote happiness, kindness, and equal opportunities for every child.
Bhutan is entering a new chapter in inclusive education and sport through the work of Special Olympics Bhutan (SO Bhutan). For too long, children and young people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD) have faced barriers to participation in extracurricular activities, particularly sport. SO Bhutan is changing this by embedding inclusion into the school system through its Special Olympics Unified Sports® model, where students with and without IDD play together on the same teams.
Students from Tendruk Central and Sherabgatshel Primary Schools competing in a Unified Futsal game.
From Civil Society to National Recognition
A major milestone came in 2024, when SO Bhutan underwent a significant institutional transition with the support of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific office in Singapore. A new board was formed under the Bhutan Paralympic Committee, chaired by Dasho Dechen Wangmo. By affiliating with the Paralympic Committee, which itself is part of the Bhutan Olympic Committee, SO Bhutan gained formal national status, access to government partnerships, and stronger institutional legitimacy.
This affiliation was necessary because SO Bhutan is not registered as a civil society organization (CSO). In Bhutan, the distinction matters: CSOs operate independently, but often with limited recognition, while national programmes under official sporting bodies enjoy greater visibility, resources, and integration into policy frameworks. The move reflects Bhutan’s commitment to embedding inclusion within its official sporting structures.
At the same time, SO Bhutan established a regional office in Thimphu. This presence is more than symbolic; it provides a hub for coordination, training, and outreach. For schools, the office means easier access to resources, coaching support, and direct communication with programme staff. It signals SO Bhutan’s commitment to long-term growth and ensures that inclusion is not just an idea but a practical reality in classrooms and playgrounds.
Unified Champion Schools: Building Confidence and Connection
That same year, SO Bhutan partnered with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to pilot the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® (SOUCS) programme in 10 schools. The first competition brought together 271 students from across Bhutan to compete in athletics, bocce, and futsal (a 5- or 7-sided mini version of soccer/football).
The video footage of these events captured the joy and camaraderie of Unified Sports: students cheering for one another, laughing together, and celebrating every effort. Teachers observed shy students stepping into leadership roles, motivating teammates, and showing newfound confidence. Parents noted visible improvements in well-being, with children expressing excitement about “playing with friends” rather than feeling excluded. Students without IDD also reported stronger social connections, saying they had “new teammates and new friends” they might not have interacted with otherwise.
“For the first time in Bhutan, we are conducting Unified Sports, where athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities participate alongside athletes without disabilities. Through the divisioning process, athletes are grouped according to ability, ensuring fair competition and equal opportunity for everyone,” said Surender Singh, a technical and mental health expert from Special Olympics Bharat, India.
“I came here to play sports today, and I have made many new friends,” said Nima Pelden, a student athlete. “I am very happy to be part of this event, and I am grateful that such activities are being organised.”
Vision 2030: Expanding Reach and Sports
Looking ahead, SO Bhutan’s vision is ambitious. By 2030, it aims to reach 80% of the 50-plus inclusive schools spread across 20 districts, expanding into sports such as badminton, swimming, football, basketball, and volleyball.
To increase reach, SO Bhutan plans to train athletes, coaches, and parents, ensuring that inclusion is embedded not only in competitions but in everyday school life. With technical support from Special Olympics Bharat, the partnership emphasizes exchange programs, capacity building, and regional collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Winning: Bhutan’s Unique Approach
SO Bhutan is not just building athletes, it is building a more compassionate society, aligned with Bhutan’s values of equity, wellbeing, and Gross National Happiness (GNH). Unlike conventional sports programs that prioritize competition and winning, inclusive sports in Bhutan emphasize participation, joy, and personal growth.
This inclusive approach prioritizes mental health, confidence, and happiness over medals.
Equity means ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has the same opportunity to play, learn, and thrive. Well-being is central: schools design events to reduce pressure and celebrate effort. The video highlighted this philosophy vividly—students clapping for all teams, not just their own, embodying Bhutan’s belief that success is shared.
This inclusive approach prioritizes mental health, confidence, and happiness over medals. In schools, it translates into events where students celebrate resilience, teamwork, and joy, embodying the nation’s holistic vision of education.