Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), a National Sports Federation for the development of sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities conducted a National Table Tennis Coaching Camp from July 15-20, at the Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS), Faridabad. MRIIRS is knowledge partner to Special Olympics Bharat.
The five-day long camp saw 72 athletes and 32 coaches from 14 states training in the sport as part of preparations for the Special Olympics to be held in Berlin, Germany from 17–25 June 2023. It may be mentioned that SO Bharat will be represented by a 282 strong contingent that includes 181 Special Athletes and 58 Coaches, participating in 14 sports in the mega sports event expected to have 7000 athletes’ competing in 24 sports.
A special ceremony to mark the successful conclusion of the national camp was held on July 20 wherein Dr. Mallika Nadda – Chairperson, SO Bharat accompanied by Dr. Amit Bhalla – Vice President, MREI and Dr. Sanjay Srivastava – MD, MREI & Vice-Chancellor, MRIIRS, Smt. Latika Sharma – State Patron, SOB; Shri Gopal Sharma – District President, BJP Faridabad; Shri Devendra Chaudhary – Senior Deputy Mayor, MCF, Mr. Harpreet Singh – Joint Director Sports, SOB along with other guests and dignitaries joined to encourage the participant athletes and coaches.
Dr. Amit Bhalla addressing the guests and atheletes said, “Manav Rachna started with our visionary founder Dr. O P Bhalla’s dream of creating better human beings who work towards nation building. Our learning for special needs started from schools, where we focus on creating a special environment for special children as every special child needs a special society which believes in inclusive education. Manav Rachna stands committed for collaborating with the government to support in every capacity at any hour for taking the next leap of inclusivity in the country.”
Dr. Mallika Nadda, added: “Inclusion is the resolution and joining us in realizing our goals are esteemed institutions like Manav Rachna which encourage us and multiply our power to achieve our goals. The Athletes of Special Olympics have abilities, they dare to challenge at global events. It is time we changed mind-sets to recognise & accept the abilities of persons with differences, enabling them to be meaningful contributors in the development of the country.”
