Special Olympics Bharat Athletes scale up preparation for the Berlin Games 2023 at Amity University Noida

SO Bharat announced the strength of the delegation in the presence of Padma Shri Rani Rampal, former Captain, Indian Hockey Team and distinguished guests including Dr Mahesh Sharma, MP Gautam Buddh Nagar, UP, Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, SO Bharat, Ms. Shivani, SO Bharat Cycling athlete, Professor (Dr.) Balvinder Shukla, Air Cmde LK Sharma, Executive Director, SO Bharat along with the Athletes and Coaches. Dr Ashok K Chauhan, Founder, Amity University joined the event virtually.

This is the third preparatory Camp for India’s participation at the Special Olympics World Summer Games being held in Berlin, Germany in June 2023. The Camp aims to further hone the individual as well as competitive skills of the Athletes to finally face global competition. Sessions of Coaches briefing and training of the Athletes are running parallel to ensure a holistic experience to both, also providing expanded opportunities of engagements between the two. Additionally Oral health screenings is also being organised on 28 April as part of regular medical screenings that aims to maintain health parameters for an enhanced quality of life.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team player Padma Shri Rani Rampal gave her best wishes to the athletes: “I feel elated to be a part of such a beautiful endeavour that is showcasing the true beauty of human spirit at a global stage. Only sports have the power to bring all of us together and shatter down any existing barriers. It is great to see the level of facilities that are being provided to the athletes at the National Camp at the Amity University before the World Games as it will not only boost the confidence of our esteemed group of special athletes, but also motivate them to achieve their best results. I extend my best wishes to the Indian contingent at the Berlin Games 2023 and hope to see them earn many laurels for the country. I also wish to express my gratitude to Special Olympics Bharat and Amity University for inviting me here and allowing me the opportunity to be a part of this special event.”

The National Camp being conducted here, at the Amity University, is witnessing our Athletes pushing their limit even further, under the able guidance of our Coaches, and gaining more confidence to level global competition.- Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, Special Olympic Bharat

The Special Olympics World Games offer the opportunity to unite the world like no other event can. Here people with and without disabilities, people of different nations, cultures, political views, and religions meet and can overcome existing prejudices through the power of sport.

Dr Mallika Nadda said “The World Games is an opportunity for the Athletes to demonstrate ability, positivity, and confidence. The world gets to see the beauty of diversity and Inclusion. The National Camp being conducted here, at the Amity University, is witnessing our Athletes pushing their limit even further, under the able guidance of our Coaches, and gaining more confidence to level global competition. We hope to spread a message of recognising and respecting differences through events such as this, for the whole community here, to develop an attitude of Inclusion.”

Sharing his Words of Wisdom, Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder, Amity Universities, said, “My suggestion is that these athletes should be called specially abled instead of disabled. They are very special to us.Amity has been doing tremendous work to support the differently-abled and less privileged children through Amitasha and Atulasha Schools under the aegis of Amity Humanity Foundation (AHF). This is yet another milestone achieved by Amity towards its endeavors to support the differently-abled for holistic development of their personality and provide them a platform to showcase and nurture their skills. Amity wishes all the participants all the very best for their performance and may the participants from the Indian contingent win the maximum medals at Berlin Games 2023.”

SO World Summer Games 2023, Berlin Germany

From 17 – 25 June 2023, Berlin, Germany will welcome 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners from approximately 190 countries to compete in 26 sports. The athletes will be supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers. 202 Athletes and partners and 59 Coachesare gearing up from India to participate in 16 Sports.

About Special Olympics Bharat

Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc. USA, to conduct sports and development programs all over India. Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Bharat is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India as a National Sports Federation for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.It is incumbent to inform that Special Olympics and Paralympics are separate entities wherein the former reaches out to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and, the latter to those with physical challenges.  SO Bharat has over 1.5 million Athletes registered across all the States and Union Territories of India.