Rwanda’s Special Olympics football team won its preliminary matches as the 12th edition of World Special Olympics championship in Shanghai, China.

The Rwandan team, making their debut at any sort of international competitions played three five-a side preliminary stage matches in their group (seven) India, Algeria and Spain.

In the first game on Thursday, Rwanda was held to a goalless draw by India before rioting Algeria 7-2 goal the same day and drew 0-0 with Spain in their last group fixture.
Still in the group, Algeria held Spain to a goalless draw; India defeated Spain 3-0 and Algeria held India to a goalless draw.

Rwanda and India leads the group with five points but the debutants have a superior goal difference of five against three for India.

Spain and Algeria follow in the third and fourth positions with two points each.

The Special Olympic Games have attracted a record entry of nearly 7000 participants, children and adults with intellectual disability from across the world.

The Rwandan delegation is represented by 18 athletes who will be participating in athletics and football. This year’s competition revolves around the pillars of courage, sharing and joy, with the slogan "let me win but if I cannot let me be brave in the attempt.”

Soccer was formally listed as a competitive event at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 1979. Soccer is one of most favorite sports events for Special Olympics athletes. The event includes 11-player, outdoor 5-player, outdoor 7-player competitions and 7-player Unified Sports competition.
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