Special Olympics Bharat Unveils New Team India jersey
New Delhi: Special Olympics Bharat today announced the upcoming Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Championship to be held in New Delhi from 18 to 23 November 2024 at a press conference. It also unveiled its new jersey and announced Ms. Shivani as the official athlete ambassador of Special Olympics Bharat. The event was held at The Lalit, New Delhi. During the press conference, Dr. Mallika Nadda, Chairperson of Special Olympics shared her thoughts and made several other announcements related to the competition.
This competition is the first such competition to be held in India at the global level which focuses on senior athletes with intellectual disabilities (I.D.D) aged 22 years and above. This competition will provide a special opportunity to those senior athletes whose participation in sports decreases with age. The event will see the participation of over 100 athletes from 12 countries, spanning 3 different regions, East Asia, Europe and Asia Pacific. It is also a landmark achievement for Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) as it brings bowling to the forefront as a competitive sport in partnership with the Tenpin Federation of India.
Speaking at the event, Dr Mallika Nadda, Chairperson, Special Olympics Bharat said, “Today, we are delighted to unveil the jersey for Special Olympics Bharat and announce Shivani as our Athlete Ambassador. This event is not just about sports; it is a celebration of the power of the human spirit, determination and resilience. For a full week, we will witness stories of courage, determination and victory as the athletes, their families and supporters come together to exemplify resilience and friendship. We invite all of you to be a part of this special journey as we celebrate athletes who remind us that when we celebrate sportspersons, it boosts their courage and spirit.”
Athlete Shivani has won three gold medals in the Summer Olympics. In this program, Golden Girl Shivani was declared as the Athlete Brand Ambassador. Her life journey is an example for us and her journey of success is inspirational for all of us. Today this program has been organized in collaboration with Lalit Group of Hotels and we are moving forward in the direction of self-reliance. We are not limited to just sports, we are constantly moving forward in the direction of making the players self-reliant.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Shivani, Athlete Brand Ambassador said, “I am very proud to be the Athlete Ambassador of Special Olympics Bharat for the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition 2024. My journey in sports has changed my life – it has given me the strength to overcome challenges and show the world that with hard work and belief, anything is possible. As an Athlete Ambassador, I hope to inspire people with intellectual disabilities to pursue their passion and never give up. I want everyone to know that participating in sports can overcome difficulties and help all of us reach our true potential.”
The event concluded with an appeal to the public and media to support this participation and join the athletes and Special Olympics Bharat movement and boost the morale of these Divyang players to move ahead in life.
Special Olympics Bharat is committed to promoting an inclusive society where every person has the opportunity to succeed in the field of sports and lead a dignified life. Special Olympics India is committed to advancing society so that every individual has the right to live a dignified life and the opportunity to reach great heights through sports. The organization is excited for the upcoming Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games Bocce and Bowling competition and invites everyone to join this movement of inclusion and empowerment.
