The Real Madrid Foundation held its first conference 'Include with SOUL: Sports and Disability'

Throughout the day on May 9, the Ciudad Real Madrid became a meeting point for more than 150 professionals in education, disability, and sports, united by their commitment to transforming sports practice into a space for learning, fun, and inclusion.

The event, moderated by Adrián Silla, Director of the Training Area, and Eider Marín, Head of Training and Disability at the Real Madrid Foundation, featured Felipe Reyes as the event ambassador. During his speech, Reyes highlighted the passion and commitment of the professionals and students of the Real Madrid Foundation, who make inclusion not just a beautiful word but an inspiring reality.

With reflection as the pillar of learning, Include with SOUL was established as a reference training space, combining presentations, workshops, round tables, and a best practices fair. The objective was to raise awareness about the relevance and positive impact of inclusive sports, as well as to foster new networks of collaboration between sports, educational, and social institutions to promote initiatives both nationally and internationally.

Opening Speech
The day began with a very special opening speech by Jorge Ruiz, singer of the musical group Maldita Nerea and teacher of Hearing and Language. Under the title “Extraordinary Souls,” he shared his sensitive perspective on disability, inviting the audience to understand it not from limitations but from the infinite possibilities of each individual. His speech emphasized the transformative role of education and the importance of the hearts of educators in opening new horizons where each person can express their talent, soul, and spirit.

Next, in the space The Voice of SOUL, families, students, and educators from the Real Madrid Foundation projects shared how their participation in adapted, inclusive, and disability projects has transformed their lives. Subsequently, in Four Rounds, Four Perspectives, attendees were able to learn in depth about the work carried out in the national and international projects of the Real Madrid Foundation, in collaboration with Manos Unidas and the Hanan Association in Tetouan (Morocco), the Ministers of the Sick Community – Camillian Religious in Barranquilla (Colombia), and SAUCE in Battambang (Cambodia).

The morning session concluded with Trajectories that Inspire, a round table where educational professionals, Paralympic athletes, and families reflected on the barriers still present and the new possibilities that inclusive sports offer to improve lives and contribute to the development of a fairer, more participatory, and committed society.

Afternoon Session
During the afternoon session, the Best Practices Fair took place, a space for exchange aimed at showcasing various initiatives where inclusion takes center stage within sports practice. Entities such as FEMADDI — the Madrid Federation of Sports for People with Intellectual Disabilities —, A LA PAR, CONECTEA, Disafío — a project driven by the foundations of U.D. Las Palmas and C.D. Tenerife to promote the social integration of people with disabilities through football —, Carolina Díez Mahou, Fundación A La Par, and Imascono participated, as well as other stands where attendees had the opportunity to learn about Spanish Sign Language (LSE), neuromuscular training, blind football, or wheelchair basketball (BSR), among others.

Closing
Chema Lázaro, neuroeducator and primary school teacher, closed the conference with the talk Oceans of Uniqueness, in which he invited participants to reflect on the difference between integration and inclusion. During his speech, he encouraged attendees to ask themselves whether, both in the classroom and in sports, truly inclusive contexts are being created or if individuals are merely being integrated into existing structures.

“Inclusion is not improvised; it is built with every decision the teacher makes when designing activities that shape the teaching-learning process. Accessibility opens the door, understanding allows entry, but it is inclusive design that ensures everyone stays,” he concluded.

Starting Point for Developing New Opportunities
With this first Training Conference on Sports and Disability Include with SOUL, the Real Madrid Foundation plants the seed for a training space designed to listen, accompany, and learn alongside people with disabilities. It serves as a starting point to continue developing new opportunities and projects that recognize their rights, identify their needs, and promote their full participation in sports and education, allowing them to grow with dignity and fulfillment.

Disclaimer: Translation generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies.