UP Mindanao NSTP and the Associate in Arts in Sports Studies (AASS) Program, through their specialization course in Recreation for Special Groups, organized the 1st UP Mindanao Special Athletics on May 4, 2024, at the DC-UP Sports Complex. Students from Davao City Special School and Tugbok Central Elementary School SPED Center participated in the event.
The Department of Human Kinetics, with NSTP Faculty-in-Charge Krishna Balaga, Bhen Joshua Acosta, and AASS Faculty-in-Charge Prof. Maria Stella Salazar, co-organized the event. The Davao City Special Intervention Center gave active support and involvement in organizing the Special Athletics. Atty. Antoinette Principe-Castrodes served as a resource speaker.

The sports events were the 25-meter run, 50-meter run, 4x25-meter relay, standing long jump, running long jump, softball throw, and tennis ball throw.