Colleagues at Mitsubishi Electric UK (ME-UK) recently experienced inclusive sport at its best, by hosting a Unified Football tournament with athletes from Special Olympics Great Britain (GB).
ME-UK is a long-standing partner of Special Olympics GB and has just signed a two-year extension to its partnership, helping the charity continue to transform the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sport.
Following the success of the 2024 event, this second Unified Football tournament celebrated the partnership renewal by bringing together 15 athletes from Special Olympics Essex and 20 ME-UK colleagues. The event was staged at the University of Hertfordshire’s sports centre and saw participants play side-by-side in mixed, six-a-side teams, creating a fun, competitive and inclusive environment.
There’s no better way to engage colleagues of our partners with the mission of Special Olympics GB than by playing sport alongside our athletes.
“We’re incredibly grateful to ME-UK for hosting this event for the second year running. It’s not only a fantastic experience for our athletes but also builds lasting connections with ME-UK staff.
“ME-UK has supported our life-changing work for more than seven years, and we’re thrilled to continue this journey together.”
In addition to its financial support, ME-UK has also hosted ‘Lunch & Learn’ sessions, where athletes visit the Hatfield headquarters to share how Special Olympics has impacted their lives. ME-UK colleagues have also generously given their time by volunteering at multiple Special Olympics GB events.
Cheryl Cox of Mitsubishi Electric, said: "Many of the players returned for this year's tournament, and it was heartwarming to see them greet their teammates from last year like old friends. Events like these go a long way in breaking down barriers, and Mitsubishi Electric is delighted to continue our support for Special Olympics GB.”