9 July 2011,Chandigarh : , a special mentally-challenged child, made the City Beautiful proud by winning silver medal in 100 meters at Athens Special Olympics held in June 2011. Besides, he attained 4th position in the Shot Put and also participated in the 400 meters relay race. Manpreet joined the Special Cell in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in 1996 and started playing a number of sports. He has had a wonderful track record of excelling in various sports activities. A student of SOREM, Sector 36, Chandigarh, Manpreet had won many decorations in national level games. He gleefully gives credit of his success to Rakesh Kumar, his coach. “Manpreet worked very hard and the driving force behind him has been his coach who helped him achieve many laurels”, acknowledged one of other coaches. Neelu Sarin Area Director Special Olympics Bharat Chandigarh Chapter and Anil Sharma Sports Director and Their Team is Extremely Proud of Manpreet and His Achievements.
Brief about Special Olympic
The Joseph P. Kenned, Jr. Foundation began organising Special Olympics for the benefit of those with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Bharat became the national accredited program of Special Olympics International, complying all the norms for meeting its high accreditation standards. Launched in India in 1988 it has been operating all across the country.
The Chandigarh Chapter started in 1993. Once-a-year state meets are held in every state, national games are held every 4 years and Internal Special Olympics as well are held every 4 years. This year (2011) the international Special Olympics were held at Athens from June 25 -30, wherein 172 countries participated. As many as 182 athletes from India went for the games who won 78 gold, 73 silver and 92 bronze medals. Manpreet represented Chandigarh in these games.