Special Olympics Bharat has been accorded ‘Priority Classification’

Company News

New Delhi, May 12

Special Olympics Bharat, a movement dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disability through sports training and competition, has been accorded priority status by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India. SO Bharat has also been recognized as the largest Sports Federation for the mentally challenged in India and is among the few sports organizations to have access to assistance, grants and funding from the Government of India for the Mentally Challenged. Special Olympics Bharat which conducts sports training and competitions to the mentally challenged in India is the nationally accredited programme of Special Olympics International.

The priority category status would translate into assistance from the central government for training of these special athletes and coaches. Special Olympics will be able to draw assistance under various schemes of the Ministry and grants and funding for the provision of better facilities to these special athletes.

This breakthrough recognition will help develop confidence in those with intellectual disabilities to be integrated into the mainstream as productive and proud citizens. The movement has today under its fold more than 240,000 strong athletes, which is an extremely creditable achievement as considering that in August 2004 there were only 28,000 athletes registered with it.

Today Special Olympics Bharat spans 24 states and Union Territories of India and the latest addition to the family is the enchanting state of Sikkim. The latest state chapter of Special Olymics Bharat has a total Mentally Challenged Population of 16,215 individuals and Special Olympics Bharat has already reached out to 3,336 special athletes.

Addressing the conference, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyer, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India, said, “We have conferred ‘Priority Classification’ upon Special Olympics duly recognizing the fact that it is indeed a well deserved benefit as they take the initiative to involve mentally challenged people in the mainstream and help give deeper meaning to their lives and instilling a sense of achievement in them.”

Chairman of Special Olympics Bharat Air Marshal Denzil Keelor, expressing his delight on Special Olympic Bharat’s new status said, "Unfortunately, those with intellectual disabilities are the most marginalized and truly unheard voices in India. The Special Olympics Bharat programme has been making efforts in bringing them into the social mainstream and in the process making society at large aware of their amazing potential. Through this status and recognition the Government has taken a positive step towards its commitment to these often unheard voices”

Mr. Troy Greisen, Senior Vice President and Acting Managing Director, Special Olympics Asia Pacific, said "It is a historic decision by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and we are pleased to have been conferred Priority Classification as an accredited Sports federation. Special Olympics is continuously striving to transform lives of millions across the globe and this acknowledgment will provide our local volunteers the impetus to continue with their efforts in more than 24 states in India."

The Special Olympics conducted National Games and the Torch run in 2005 in which Over 5000 Special Athletes and 350 coaches, special educators and escorts participated in the National Games 2005 making it huge success. As many as 20,000 volunteers, family members and local organizers from schools and other institutions also participated. The National Games witnessed new challenges and a high level of performance by these athletes. The games also served as a platform to select probables for the Special Olympics Summer games to be held Shanghai, China in 2007.

The Flame of Hope Torch Run; a noteworthy initiative of the organisation was lit last year by the Hon’ble President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The objective of the Torch Run was to carry the Flame of Hope to more than thirty million Mentally Challenged in India and generate awareness leading to a greater number of registrations of athletes, coaches and families for Special Olympics Bharat.

The Special Olympics credos are –

· People with Intellectual Disability can with proper instruction and encouragement; learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.

· Consistent training is essential to the development of sports skills.

· Competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of providing incentives for personal growth.

· Sports training and competition strengthen and benefit people with Intellectual Disability physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. They also help their families and the community at large, both through participation and observation.

This philosophy is reflected in the Special Olympics oath -

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

For more information, contact:

Deepti Sharma

IPAN

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