Special Olympics and Xbox Level Up for Another Gaming for Inclusion Esports Event

For the second year, esports will offer leadership training to three Special Olympics athletes in order for them to be shoutcasters.

Special Olympics was founded in 1968 to eliminate discrimination and promote acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities around the globe. Here at Xbox, we’re honored to partner with Special Olympics again for the second annual Gaming for Inclusion esports event, and to showcase the power of inclusion through gaming.

Gaming for Inclusion 2022 is a successful sequel to 2021’s debut. It will allow Special Olympics athletes as well as Unified partners, to participate in gaming for inclusion 2022. Rocket LeagueYou can play with Special Olympics celebrities on Xbox or PC. Jamaal Charles from the NFL, a TikTok creator vaultboy and a TikTok influencer, is among them. WWE Superstars are also included in the upcoming Celebrity Showcase that will take place on September 17.

Gaming for Inclusion is a virtual, multi-day esports tournament giving people the opportunity to compete for something far greater than first place — the power of inclusion. It will bring together people with all levels of ability from Canada as well as the United States.

Xbox sees the tournament as part of their larger aim to make gaming more inclusive so everyone can enjoy the pleasures of gaming. This is a significant and necessary step towards making esports accessible. It empowers Special Olympics athletes in a different way.

 “We’re honored to again partner with Special Olympics International for the 2^nd annual Gaming for Inclusion event this September,” said Jeff Hansen, GM Strategic Brand Partnerships at Microsoft. “This year, Microsoft is empowering Special Olympics athletes to participate beyond the playing field by providing hands-on training as on-air talent to host and shoutcast in the tournament broadcast on the official Xbox Twitch channel. Microsoft is committed to supporting Special Olympics in their mission to be a movement led by athletes and raise awareness for people with intellectual disabilities across areas such as sports and leadership.”

Gaming for Inclusion 2018 will include a Leadership Opportunity for Special Olympics Athletes to be esports shoutcasters/hosts for the Celebrity Showcase. These are Jose Moreno (Special Olympics Illinois), Amber Gertsch (Special Olympics Utah) and Ben Gregory (Special Olympics Indiana).

As a shoutcaster, each athlete will travel to Redmond, Washington for an immersive two-day training on Microsoft’s campus where they’ll develop skills from some of the best in esports. Special Olympics athletes can learn to analyse a game and provide commentary on livestreams. They also have the opportunity to interview celebrities and athletes.

“I appreciate Special Olympics and Microsoft for providing me with this incredible leadership opportunity to become a shoutcaster at this year’s Gaming for Inclusion event,” said Mr. Moreno who is also a Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Leader. “Gaming creates a common bond and a fun way to connect with people of all abilities around the world. I’ve made new friends through gaming because we love it, and anyone can play.”

Bracket tournaments will be held to crown the winners for each bracket. Rocket League ranking. All gaming competitions will be hosted through Microsoft’s esports platform Start.gg. The official Xbox Twitch channel as well as the Special Olympics YouTube channel will live-stream the event.

• Saturday September 10th, 2010 Rocket LeagueTournament
• Saturday September 17, 2017: Celebrity Showcase featuring winners of tournaments

“From the beginning of the inaugural Gaming for Inclusion virtual experience, we saw connections made and friendships developed among athletes with and without intellectual disabilities,” said Chief Information and Technology Officer at Special Olympics Prianka Nandy. “Immediately, both Special Olympics and Microsoft knew this event would continue and get bigger and better because it truly embodies the power of inclusion. This year, thanks to our incredible partners at Microsoft, we are adding a unique leadership opportunity for some of our athletes to learn from some of the best in the industry and become shoutcasters during our Celebrity Showcase.”

Don’t forget to tune in to the Celebrity Showcase on September 17 on the official Xbox Twitch channel and the Special Olympics YouTube channel to see who comes out on top! Find out more information about Special Olympics on their website. TwitterFacebook, YouTube. Instagram. LinkedIn. Their official blog is on Medium. SpecialOlympics.org.