25 Young intellectual disabilities athletes successfully participated in the ‘Athlete Leadership Training Program’ which was designed by the Special Olympics Papua New Guinea to develop the young athlete's leadership qualities. The diverse group of participants included students from Callan Inclusive Education Resource Centers, Red Cross Society, Cheshire Disability Centre, and the Academy of Inclusive Learning. The training covered two essential courses, Introduction to Athlete Leadership and Understanding Athlete Leadership, that are specifically designed to empower these special abilities athletes to take on leadership roles. The program features a combination of group and individual activities, incorporating both theoretical and practical components. Among the SOPNG facilitators was Miss Hannah’s Beauty Box, Shonaye Leslie who emphasized the key qualities of effective leadership, and the various roles athletes can assume within Special Olympics, their schools, and local communities. Then right after the theory half of the program, each athlete leader was paired with a mentor to form a mentor-mentee relationship, providing ongoing support and personal development. Acting Program Manager Ectopia Ame explained the significance of this training, noting that while sports are the main focus of Special Olympics, they also focus on capacity building to help develop their athletes. “This training is specifically designed for athlete leaders to teach them how to communicate confidently and lead others,” said Ame. Ame further stressed that such training is important for athletes' personal growth, as leadership development is not commonly taught in schools in Papua New Guinea. She encouraged parents, who were present during the training, to continue supporting their children at home and to bring them to similar programs in the future. At the conclusion of the training, athletes were awarded certificates and badges, marking the beginning of their leadership journey with SOPNG. These 25 special abilities athletes were encouraged to identify areas in which they wish to lead within SOPNG programs where they will receive continued support from special Olympics and their mentors to develop the necessary skill in success in their chosen leadership roles. And showing his aspiration to be a leader is Zechariah Abaik, a Grade 8 student from the Academy of Inclusive Learning. He expressed, “I’ve learned how to become a leader, and now I will go back to school and take on leadership roles. I always enjoy giving speeches during special occasions.” To conclude, Ame announced that additional training sessions will be offered in the near future, including a Family Network program, to further support the athletes’ growth and leadership development.