Special Olympics Malaysia provides numerous opportunities for participation. Take the first step towards getting involved, whether as an Athlete, Unified Partner, Coach, Volunteer, or Sponsor by connecting with your local program for detailed information.
Special Olympics Athletes
Athletes are the heart of Special Olympics Malaysia. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities or ID. They are finding success, joy and friendship as part of our community. They're also having lots of fun!
Our athletes, ages 8 years old and up get year-round training from our volunteer coaches. They get the opportunity to participate in local community as well as state and national competitions. Many of our athletes have represented Malaysia in Regional and International competitions organized by Special Olympics International.
We also have a Young Athletes program for children ages 2 to 7.
Contact the state program nearest to you to get started.
Become A Coach
Coaches teach the skills and spirit that define a true athlete. Coaches are role models and character-builders. Special Olympics coaches go even further—they help athletes with intellectual disabilities find their own strengths and abilities. They also show them how to build upon those strengths and improve every day.
Special Olympics coaches go even further—they help athletes with intellectual disabilities find their own strengths and abilities. They also show them how to build upon those strengths and improve every day.
As a Special Olympics coach, you bring enthusiasm, commitment and a positive attitude to each practice, event and competition. You will enrich the lives of our athletes in many life-changing ways. The skills and confidence an athlete learns through sports have a long and lasting effect. They can help an athlete succeed in school or even find a job.
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of everything we do at Special Olympics Malaysia. Without the time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm of these volunteers to help in coaching, planning and executing our sporting and social events, we would not have been able to continue our program.
Volunteers are coaches, trainers, officials, event organizers, fundraisers and managers. They can also be unified partners—playing alongside athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics is about transforming lives, including your own. It’s about a spirit of giving and teamwork. It's about making your community and neighborhood a more welcoming and accepting place for people of all abilities.
Contact the state program nearest to you to get started.
Become a Unified Partner to play unified games
Special Olympics is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences. Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities (ID) on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
In Unified Sports, teams are made up of people with ID and without ID (Unified Partner) of similar age and ability. That makes practices more fun and games more challenging and exciting for all. Having sport in common is just one more way that preconceptions and false ideas are swept away.
Find the state program nearest to you to get started.
Be Sponsor
There are many ways you can support our movement. Join us in creating an inclusive and welcoming world for all! When you donate, you are gifting a child or adult with an intellectual disability the joy of competition, the thrill of achievement, the long-term benefits of physical activity, and a sense of belonging.
In the News
Celebrating Excellence: Nur Shakila Binti Mohd Nasir receives Anugerah Khas OKU
On November 28, 2024, the state of Melaka celebrated an inspiring milestone at the award ceremony held in conjunction with the Majlis Sambutan Hari Warga Emas, Hari Orang Kurang Upaya, dan Hari Kanak-Kanak Negeri Melaka 2024. Among the highlights of the event was the presentation of the prestigious Anugerah Khas OKU to Nur Shakila Binti Mohd Nasir, an exceptional athlete from Special Olympics Melaka and an Athlete Leader with Special Olympics Malaysia.
Nur Shakila’s incredible journey to this recognition began at the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, where she clinched a silver medal in the Badminton Singles category. Her dedication, perseverance, and talent have brought immense pride to Melaka and Malaysia, exemplifying the power of sports in breaking barriers and uniting communities.
This award not only acknowledges her sporting achievements but also celebrates her role as an inspiration to many, showcasing that determination and passion can overcome any challenge.
Agnes overcomes disability to become youngest athlete in Team Malaysia for Special Olympics World Games Berlin.
Agnes has an intellectual disability (a slow learner) and hearing impairments. She also has a passion for arts, painting and dancing but she finds it difficult to pursue dancing as it is difficult for her to memorise steps. Despite this, she worked hard to overcome the disability and today she is playing table tennis.
In fact, she is the youngest athlete in Team Malaysia at 15 years of age, to be heading to the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 Coach Kong from the Ping Pong Association, Sibu Division, stated,"I see Agnes still has a huge room for improvement... I enjoyed coaching Agnes and I wish her all the best in the coming World Games in Berlin.”
Parent of Special Olympics Malaysia Athlete Speaks
"For us parents whose neurodiverse children often feel excluded in the world around them due to lack of awareness, every accomplishment achieved by them is always celebrated with pride and joy. Thanks to Special Olympics Selangor for an inclusive and equitable space for them to excel."
"2023年的特殊奥运会，让我女儿成长了不少。第一，她的坚持心和信心。第二，她知道每个游戏都不容易。她会更加努力完成好老师要她做的每件事。"
"Saya sebagai ibu sangat bangga dengan Special Olympics Malaysia kerana mereka dapat membentuk atlit dengan bergitu sempurna"
"Yong Jan like swimming after he join SOM with the coach guide.He becomes more focus and work more efficiently on his daily routine.As our Broad spectrum we have to be more passionate on whatever event or task as it will make them more confident. From now as sportman he will try to accommodate his time and keep moving forward to explore and socialise. He learnt to analyse and share his thoughts.He like singing Jay Chow song he can be on stage without hesitate and fear and his anxiety have been solve.As a parent I wish he can be more confident and independent in future.Thanks SOM have given the opportunity had transform Yong Jan to become more happy to serve back to the society."
Our Partners
Our partners play a major role in helping us sustain our activities and reaching out to more people with intellectual disabilities and promote inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership program.
