The Special Olympics has announced plans to partner with Microsoft in the launch of its inaugural esports event, Gaming for Inclusion.
The event will run Sept. 12-14, and will feature Special Olympics athletes competing alongside Unified partners in Rocket League, Madden NFL 22 and Forza Motorsport 7. Top competitors will then get a chance to play alongside celebrities such as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, former NFL running back Jamaal Charles, and several unnamed wrestlers from the WWE on Sept. 18.
Special Olympics believes that esports is for ???????? so we’re partnering with @Microsoft and @Toyota in September’s inaugural #GamingForInclusion event. Support our athletes & watch @WWE Superstars play too! ➡️ https://t.co/wXm42MLX4z @toyotaracing #ChooseToInclude pic.twitter.com/3uByp9MmuF
— Special Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) August 24, 2021
Gaming for Inclusion continues the relationship between the Special Olympics and Microsoft that began with the Xbox Virtual Gaming Event in May 2020, when the two organizations aimed to fight the loneliness brought on by COVID-19 isolation efforts.
“We’re ecstatic to build upon Microsoft’s partnership with Special Olympics, which first began in 2014, to further focus on gaming and host Gaming for Inclusion,” said head of Xbox Social Impact Jenn Panattoni.
Xbox, our goal is to make gaming inclusive and welcoming to all players so that everyone can experience the joys of gaming. This tournament is a meaningful and important step in making esports more accessible and it empowers Special Olympics athletes with a new way to compete.”
The tournament will feature brackets for each game hosted on the Microsoft-owned Smash.gg, and the action will be broadcast on the Xbox Twitch channel and the Special Olympics YouTube channel. Each game will get its own day:
Following the event, Special Olympics Programs will host training to show viewers how to set up tournaments of their own through Smash.gg.
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