1. NATIONAL SUMMIT
FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK AND YOUNG ATHLETES
THEME: BUILDING COMMUNITY
The First National Summit for Families and Young Athlete Building Community was held in
Karachi on 1st
and 2nd
June 2013.It was held at Benazir Sports Complex KPT. Families and Family
Support Network Coordinators from all over Pakistan were invited to attend it .The families
came from Sheikupura, Tarbela, Wah cantt, Peshawar and Islamabad. The families came
together by bus.
The total distance between Islamabad and Karachi is 1146km.The travelling time by bus is
almost 23 hours. These families started their journey on 30th
of May by 2pm and reached
Karachi on 31st
May by 4pm in their guest houses.
On arrival at the guest house they were given a very warm up well-come by the organizing
committee of Special Olympics Pakistan
The families too were very delighted and pleased they were looking fresh and excited as many
of them had never visited Karachi before.
After the dinner the families were given a brief description by Arshad Javaid about the first day
schedule.
In morning by 7.30am all families had breakfast together and were ready to leave for KPT
auditorium

2. By 8:00 .am Mrs.Ronak lakkani came to meet the families. Families were delighted to meet her.
She accompanied them to the auditorium.
On reaching the auditorium they were warmly welcome by Mrs.Tehmina Azim and her team
members.
The Summit finally started with the recitation of Holy Quran verses by Ms.Farah Vohra an ALPS
Athlete; followed by a presentation by Ms.Nargis coordinator FSN Sind Region on Special
Olympics .She beautifully described the mission and goal of Special Olympics
After wards Mrs.Tehmina Azim Gobal family Leader and National Coordinator FSN gave
presentation about the working of FSN .She shared her experiences and meetings with the
other Global Leaders .She emphasized the families to come forward and give ideas. She said
Families who have children and young people with intellectual disabilities often deal with many
challenges. They may have concerns about education, services, recreational facilities, sports,
leisure respite and other issues directly related to their child. FSN SOP aim is to bring families
together for friendship, to share information and to support one another.
After wards Mr.Arshad Javaid National sports Director gave his presentation on family role for
the fitness of the Athletes.
Mrs. Maliha javad gave presentation on “healthy Families, followed by breakout sessions for
group discussion. . Fortunately, the day’s wrap-up was of our activities have been to increase
awareness of FSN in order to reach more families.
The conclusion of the summit was with mine presentation on Intellectual disabilities and
community building. Before lunch the Families, volunteers and others who participated in the
Summit were presented with certificates of participation by Special Olympics Pakistan.
Summit evaluations indicated that the Summit fulfilled attendee expectations, including being
better informed and more prepared for the following day’s meeting with Families of Young
Athletes.
Surprisingly, after a long day, family members and Special Olympics Pakistan Karachi office staff
and volunteers energetically met for a family dinner at Barbecue To Night hosted by Mrs.Ronak
lakkani .
On the next day these families were invited for Young Athletes Program.
After the activities the families again participated in an open house discussion with other
participants which allowed for lively discussion and an opportunity for families to get to know
one another. Everyone was firmed that our roles at Family support Network is to provide as

3. much assistance as possible to families of Young Athletes. These Young Athletes deserve
equitable access to Sports as well as educational opportunities that will help them make the
healthiest, most independent transition to adulthood. We know how hard the families work to
give their kids the best start in life they can. We applaud their efforts!
The summit was a major success! Thank you to our keynote speakers, workshop presenters,
exhibitors, staff, and above all our attendees for making the summit possible.
The guest families were given a very warm seen off by SOP Karachi officials.
Reported by
Lubna nawaz
Coordinator Federal Region (FSN) Special Olympics Pakistan