JUBA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan will take part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi in March 2019 in an effort to promote the rights of people with disabilities, the head of the country's Olympics governing body said on Tuesday.

Juma Stephen Lugga, president of the South Sudan National Olympic Committee (SSNOC) said there are many people in the east African country suffering from intellectual disabilities who are often left out of major sporting activities.

Lugga said the SSNOC has begun selecting athletes for the 2019 games, adding that the event seeks to increase social inclusion for people with disabilities.

"Those with intellectual disabilities also have opportunities to exercise according to their talent, and next year South Sudan will appear in Abu Dhabi in the special Olympic tournament," Lugga told Xinhua in a recent interview.

South Sudan became the 206th member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in August 2015.

The world's youngest nation made its first ever Olympic appearance at the Rio 2016, represented by three athletes.

The Special Olympics World Summer Games are an international sporting competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities, organized by the IOC partner Special Olympics organization.

According to the Special Olympics, the event will bring together more than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries and regions to compete in 24 sports such as athletics, badminton, basketball, swimming, table tennis, among others.