Special Olympics Bharat on Thursday organised a Torch Run and a National Send-Off Ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, for the Indian contingent that will be travelling for the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 Berlin, Germany which will take place between 17th June, 2023 and 25th June, 2023. India will be sending a contingent comprising 198 Athletes and Unified partners and 57 Coaches to participate across 16 Sports at the prestigious event.
The ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and Department of Information and Broadcasting as the Chief Guest for the Torch Run, Hon’ble Union Minister Smt. Smriti Irani, Department of Women and Child Development and Department of Minority Affairs as the Chief Guest for the Send-Off Ceremony, among other distinguished guests.
The event was divided into two parts – The Flame of Hope and The Send-Off Ceremony. The Flame of Hope left New Delhi on May 26th and travelled across multiple cities. The Torch returned to Haryana from where it was brought to the nation’s capital, New Delhi, along with the Haryana athletes who will be travelling to Berlin along with Special Olympics Bharat. The Torch was received by Guest of Honour, President, Indian Olympic Association, Ms. PT Usha and officials of Special Olympics Bharat. The Flame of Torch came to an end with a rousing speech from Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur.
*Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and Department of Information and Broadcasting* gave his best wishes to the athletes: I congratulate Dr. Mallika Nadda and Special Olympics Bharat for their tremendous work over the years. Because of their efforts, we are able to send such a huge contingent of Indian athletes to Berlin. 198 Athletes, Unified partners and 57 Coaches who will participate across 16 Sports from 23 different states across India. I am confident these athletes will make the nation proud. We have seen development in sports over the past few years – in terms of infrastructure, in the growth of the athletes and the number of medals our athletes have been winning across major competitions. Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Modi has increased the sports budget multifold over the past few years. He has started schemes like TOPS which is unearthing talent at the grassroots level. Hence we have won more medals than ever. And we will continue this feat at the Special Olympics World Games as well.
In the second part of the ceremony, which saw Hon’ble Union Minister Smt. Smriti Irani, Department of Women and Child Development and Department of Minority Affairs as the Chief Guest, Bollywood Singer & Composer and Special Olympics Bharat Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Sonu Nigam, Former India Cricketer and Special Olympics Bharat Goodwill Ambassador Mr. Yuvraj Singh, and Dr. Stephan Grabherr, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Special Olympics Bharat Goodwill Ambassador, also joined the stage to motivate athletes with their presence. The entire Indian contingent which will be departing for Berlin on June 12th, was also present on the occasion.
*Hon’ble Union Minister Smt. Smriti Irani, Department of Women and Child Development and Department of Minority Affairs*, also gave words of motivation for the athletes: Special Olympics Bharat athletes are pride of the nation. Today, it was a matter of pride for me that that I was invited to be a part of the Send-Off Ceremony for Special Olympics Bharat athletes. I also want to give a special thanks to all the parents.I want to tell all the athletes that the good wishes of a nation of 1.3 billion people are with you when they travel to Berlin.
*Former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh* also gave inspiring remarks to motivating athletes: Thank you for having me here. Every kid is equally special to the country. All these athletes are truly special for all of us. You will be representing our country in Berlin. There is no bigger matter of honour and pride for a sportsperson to represent the country. We give you our wishes that you perform the best at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Berlin and make the nation proud.
Speaking on the occasion, *Dr Mallika Nadda* also wished the Indian contingent for the Berlin Games: Special Olympics Bharat believes in inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities through means of education, health and sports. As our athletes gear up for the Berlin Games 2023, it is important for them to know that the nation is truly behind them and supports them in their journey. I express my sincere gratitude to each and every guest who came here to motivate our athletes and offer them their best wishes athletes ahead of the Berlin Games. We have been working towards providing a life of dignity to our special athletes. Our motto is to recognise, respect, accept and include. I urge every respected dignitary here to ensure the nation unites in giving our special athletes a grand welcome upon their return from Berlin.
*Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 Berlin Germany*
Special Olympics Bharat is organizing a Send-off ceremony for the Athletes and Coaches departing on 12 June for the Special Olympics World Summer Games to be held in Berlin Germany from 17-25 June 2023. 198 Athletes and Unified partners and 57 Coaches will participate in 16 Sports. The Special Olympics World Games are the world’s largest inclusive sporting event which will be a colorful celebration promoting recognition and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Berlin will welcome 7000 Athletes and Unified partners across 190 delegations to participate in 26 sports.
The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide, showcasing athletic performance and highlighting stereotype-defying stories – changing minds and opening hearts through transformational inclusion.
The official mascot of the world games is called ‘Unity’, the mascot a name chosen by Special Olympics athletes from around the world and whose heart shape was inspired by the official logo of the World Games that symbolizes togetherness and affection. The World Games Berlin 2023 motto is “unbeatable together,” and that spirit infused is infused in the mascot.
*About Special Olympics & 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
