Birmingham born Nagina, 29, travelled to Sheffield to compete in the games as the West Midlands’ sole Motor Activities Training Programme athlete at the challenge event on Wednesday 9th August.

The Special Olympics Motor Activity Programme is a sporting challenge for individuals with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities to achieve their sporting personal best. Nagina, from Small Heath, was able to show off her two practised skills, rolling a ball across a table and reaching from side-to-side on the floor. Nagina competed with athletes from Leeds and Humberside, East Midlands and the Northern region, with all athletes who took part in the MATP event receiving medals to recognise their individual skills.

Nagina’s success comes at a time of great excitement for disability sport in Birmingham, with the city’s current bid well underway for the 2022 Commonwealth Games; a multi-sport event renowned for its promotion of inclusion in sport with integrated disabled competitions across nine of the sports.

Dave Rogers, CEO at Midland Mencap, comments: “Despite the daunting crowds, Nagina was able to overcome her fear to show off her amazing skills, which warranted the most epic cheer from the crowds! Nagina loved being a part of the team and representing the Midlands, and we cannot wait for the next summer games in 2021 with an even bigger team of athletes.”

By encouraging involvement in a wide range of sports, Midland Mencap are placing inclusion in sport into practice, building confidence and changing lives, with initiatives such as their accessible cycling activities, in association with Birmingham Big Bikes, Cycling Project, Wheels for All, and the Midland Mencap Big Flyerz hockey team flying the flag for England and the West Midlands in the European Para Hockey Championships a shining example of this.