Sports

New Delhi: Special Olympics – Champions all…

“Even if I cannot win, let me be brave in my attempt”. Over 500 voices rang out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the capital on Tuesday to mark the end of the Special Olympics girls Sports Meet 2007. Organized to promote the well begin of female athletes from around Delhi, it feature events like shot-put, 50 and 100 meters races as well as specially created games like bocce and softball throw.

The Special Olympics, Bharat that organized the event claims to reach out to children with mental disabilities and encourages participants from every age between 8-98 “who wish to perform”. Retired Air Marshal S.K Malik, President, Special Olympics, Bharat said, “We wish to bring out the best in our children by organizing a large number of local and state level games and competition to improve their physical fitness and confidence.

Troy Greison, Managing Directory of the Special Olympics, Asia Pacific region, further argued that access should not be denied to children just because they do not possess mental abilities that are perceived as normal.

Beginning with the races, the event moved on to Softball throw for children on wheelchairs and Boccs, a game for lower ability children were they have to throw balls past a certain distance.

Through winners were awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals, every child who participated was given a certificate of participation and considered a winner so as to encourage all participation. Later, a march past of all participants was carried out, followed by a touch run and cultural programmes.

The 450 girls who participated in the event, coming from NGOs, special schools as well as individually, were every ecstatic about it. Those who took part in cultural programs showed off their vivid costumes to each other, sharing noodles, while others argued over how far they had run or thrown their shot puts.

Apart form the games, a free dental check up called Special Smiles, was also organised. The 15-year-old India chapter of the organization conducts monthly training camps for children throughout the country and are right now preparing for the Shanghai Olympics.

Source: Special : games for special kids. Indian Express, Daily, New Delhi, 21 March 2007.