The second annual eSports experience will feature immersive leadership training for three Special Olympics athletes who will become shoutcasters for the broadcast
Since 1968, Special Olympics has been on a mission to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities around the world by promoting acceptance through the power of sport. Here at Xbox, we’re honored to once again partner with Special Olympics for the second annual eSports event, Gaming for Inclusion, demonstrating the power of inclusion through games.
Following its successful debut in 2021, Gaming for Inclusion 2022 will bring together Special Olympics athletes and Unified Partners to compete rocket league on Xbox and PC to play with celebrity Special Olympics fans. That includes NFL legend Jamaal Charles, TikTok influencer and content creator Vaultboy, and WWE Superstars in an upcoming September 17 Celebrity Showcase.
Gaming for Inclusion is a virtual, multi-day eSports tournament that gives people the opportunity to compete for something much bigger than first place – the power of inclusion. The tournament will appeal to and connect people of all abilities from Canada and the United States.
For Xbox, the tournament is part of a larger goal of making gaming inclusive and welcoming for all players, so everyone can experience the joys of gaming. It’s also a meaningful and important step in making the sport more accessible by giving Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to compete in new ways.
“We are honored to once again partner with Special Olympics International for Season 2nd 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 compete off the field by providing hands-on training as an on-air talent to host and post the tournament, broadcast on the official Xbox Twitch channel. Microsoft is committed to supporting Special Olympics in their mission to be an athlete-led movement and to raise awareness for people with intellectual disabilities in areas like sports and leadership.”
This year, Gaming for Inclusion is offering three Special Olympics athletes the opportunity to become esports soutcasters and hosts for the Celebrity Showcase: Special Olympics Illinois’ Jose Moreno, Special Olympics Utah’s Amber Gertsch, and Special Olympics Indiana’s Ben Gregory.
As a shoutcaster, each athlete travels to Redmond, Wash. for an intensive two-day training session on the Microsoft campus, where they will develop skills from some of the best in esports. Through this training, Special Olympics athletes learn how to analyze a game, provide commentary during a live stream, and interview athletes and celebrity guests.
“I appreciate Special Olympics and Microsoft for offering me this incredible opportunity to be a shoutcaster at this year’s Gaming for Inclusion event,” said Mr. Moreno, who is also the Special Olympics Illinois Athlete Director. “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-style tournaments each crown champions rocket league ranking. All gaming competitions are hosted on Microsoft’s esports platform Start.gg. Viewers can stream the events live the official Xbox Twitch channel and the Special Olympics YouTube channel:
- Saturday, September 10th: rocket league competition
- Saturday, September 17: Celebrity Showcase featuring tournament winners
“Since the inception of the first virtual gaming experience, Gaming for Inclusion, we have seen connections and friendships formed between athletes with and without intellectual disabilities,” said Prianka Nandy, chief information and technology officer at Special Olympics. “Both Special Olympics and Microsoft knew immediately that this event would continue and get bigger and better because it truly embodies the power of inclusion. Thanks to our amazing partners at Microsoft, this year we are offering some of our athletes a unique opportunity 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 17th the official Xbox Twitch channel and the Special Olympics YouTube channel to see who comes out on top! You can learn more about Special Olympics by following them Twitter, Facebook, youtube, Instagram, LinkedInher official blog on Medium and SpecialOlympics.org.
