Inclusion in Action: A Day of Shared Sports at Ialysos Indoor Basketball Court

Dimitris Alepliotis, ESAI EN ROI Youth Worker; Youth Leader

    ESC30 Solidarity Project   SOCIAL INCLUSION WEEK the power of sports

      20/10/2025 to 19/10/2026    025-1-EL02-ESC30-SOL-000348134

Youth Group: Dimitris ALEPLIOTIS, Genovefa IOAKEIMIDOU, Panagiotis KELELIS, Zoi-Viktoria VATSI, Angelos ALEPLIOTIS

The joint sports event held at the Ialysos Indoor Basketball Court marked a meaningful milestone for the Social Inclusion: The Power of Sports project. More than a scheduled activity, the day evolved into a powerful lived experience that demonstrated how inclusion can be practiced through movement, teamwork and human connection.

Students with autism syndrome and with typical education came together in a shared space, not as separate groups, but as members of the same teams. The sports activities were carefully designed to encourage cooperation rather than competition, allowing every child to participate at their own pace and feel equally valued. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was welcoming, energetic and filled with genuine enthusiasm.

As the activities unfolded, any initial hesitation quickly disappeared. Communication flowed naturally through gestures, encouragement and shared success. Simple moments — waiting for a teammate, adapting a movement, celebrating effort rather than performance — became strong examples of what inclusion truly looks like in practice. Differences were not highlighted; instead, they became part of the collective experience.

The impact of the day was evident not only among the students but also among the educators who observed and supported the activities. Many highlighted the positive changes in students’ interaction, cooperation and emotional engagement. The event offered a clear reminder that experiential learning can play a key role in shaping attitudes, fostering empathy and building understanding among young people.

The presence of local stakeholders and representatives added further value to the event, reinforcing the message that inclusion is a shared responsibility that extends beyond school walls. The closing ceremony, where all participants received medals and certificates, carried a strong symbolic meaning: every child was acknowledged equally, simply for being part of the experience.

This day perfectly reflected the core mission of the project — to use sport as a bridge that connects individuals, breaks down barriers and creates safe spaces for meaningful interaction. The true success of the event was not measured in activities completed, but in the relationships formed and the values cultivated.

The impact of the joint sports day continues beyond the court. It lives on in the way students relate to one another, in the strengthened collaboration between schools, and in the growing belief that inclusion is not an abstract concept, but a daily practice that can be nurtured through thoughtful, well-designed actions.