Barinder Saluja, Chandigarh,Feb. 18 : The Athletic Sports Meet for the differently-abled children organized by the Special Olympics “Bharat” Chandigarh Chapter and aided by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India were seen as an effort to make a difference in the lives of these children blessed with unusual talents.
The 16th Annual Special Olympics Meet at Sports Stadium was inaugurated on Wednesday amidst much fanfare. Mr Pradeep Mehra inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest. Special Athletes from the Tricity comprising of Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali were invited. As many as 250 special athletes (intellectually disabled, hearing impaired, visually impaired, and physically disabled athletes) have come together to participate in over 10 events in the tournament.
The Special Olympics mission remains as significant today as it did when the movement was founded in 1968. Through the power of sport, Special Olympics events strive to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. The Area Director of Special Olympics “Bharat” Chandigarh Chapter, Neeru Sarin, has been on a mission to create a better world for the intellectually disabled since 1993.The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participete in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Ms Neeru Sarin told the media that she has been voluntarily helping these children from past quite a few years and she feels very satisfied by doing some thing for them. They are very enthusiastic lot and one should come forward to help these under-privileged children. With a feeling of yet another feather in their cap, great achievement, for the first time the children performed under freezing cold conditions and did not let the weather deter them from winning. Children are now also preparing themselves for the International World Floor Hockey Tournament scheduled to be held in 2013′. She emphasizes that the events like these help to improve the talent as well as health for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and provide them an opportunity to enhance relationship development with their families and peers’. “The games have a special meaning for the differently-abled children as they get a feeling of ‘at par’ with their peers”, she often gets charged with emotions. Dr Anil Sharma, Sports Director of the Chapter, is always there for lending all support for organizing and bringing together all the teams under one roof.
‘Special Olympics’ mission makes a difference all around the world.
Maullana Dental College, MMCDSR, Maullana and their Special Team of doctors also took part in creating awareness about Dental Health and Hygiene to the participants and others present at the event.Post Graduation Government College Sec 11, Chd, Specializing in physical education were lending their support to the organizers as volunteers and doing their bit for the challenged individuals in the society.
Dr Anil Sharma presented Vote of Thanks on behalf Special Olympics “Bharat” Chandigarh Chapter. He profusely thanked all each and every person present whose presence made the event special. The event was concluded by Mrs Promilla Chandra Mohan, founder member of the, SOREN, Society for the Rehabilitation for Mentally Challenged, Sec 36.
The event was concluded with candle lights, where “Each One Light One” and each other sharing the flame signifying, “Hope of Light”
“All are winners,” was the slogan that ranted the stadium. The Prizes were given away by the Chief Guest of Honor.
Results GOLD/SILVER/BRONZE
1. Asha School for the Handicapped, Chandimandir 8/6/4
2. Bhavan Vidhyalaya, Sector 27, Chandigarh 8/6/4
3. Don Bosco Navjeevan School, Sector Chandigarh 1
4. Institute for the Blind, Sectro 26, Chandigarh 10/9/10
5. Sadhana Vocational Center, Manimajra, Chandigarh 3/2/4
6. SOREM, Sector 36, Chandigarh 8/11/10
7. Vatika High School 36, Chandigarh 12/9/10
8. Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sec 19, Chandigarh 3/6
9. Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sec 37, Chandigarh 1
10. Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sec 19, Dhanas 3/6
Keywords : Special Olympics “Bharat” , Youth Affairs, Sports Government, Pradeep Mehra, Chief Guest, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali, Neeru Sarin, Olympic-type, intellectual disabilities, physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, enthusiastic, under-privileged, International World Floor Hockey, Anil Sharma, Maullana Dental College, Hygiene, Promilla Chandra Mohan, SOREN, Each One Light One, Hope of Light.