NewsVoir
New Delhi [India], September 16: New Delhi will host the Asia Pacific Special Olympics Bowling Competition from November 18 to 23, 2024, marking a historic moment for the city and the bowling movement. Special Olympics. The much-awaited event was officially announced by Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat and Chairperson of Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, during a press conference today.
In her statement, Dr Nadda said: "This event will be an extraordinary celebration of the incredible talent and unbreakable spirit of our athletes from across the Asia Pacific region. Everyone is invited to join an inspiring week of sports, camaraderie and joy along with the athletes and their families. Today the official logo of this regional competition is also presented, a symbol of diversity, inclusion and unity.”
This competition, which focuses on older athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aged 22 years and above, is the first of its kind on a global scale to be held in India. It offers unique opportunities for this often neglected age group, whose participation in sports typically declines as they age.
About 100 athletes from more than 10 Special Olympics programs will participate in the competition. They come from three different regions: East Asia, Europe, Eurasia and Asia Pacific.
It also marks a historic first for Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) as it introduces bowling as a competitive sport in association with the Tenpin Federation of India. The partnership aims to empower senior athletes aged 22 and over, through an innovative initiative designed around a specific development programme.
Additionally, the competition will serve as a launch pad for the Strong Minds Program in India, a health initiative dedicated to promoting better mental health and the development of adaptive coping skills among athletes with IDD. This aligns with Special Olympics' broader mission to foster a culture of inclusion, health and well-being.
Additionally, free comprehensive health screenings will be provided to all participating athletes, underscoring the organization's dedication to overall wellness. At the same time, a Regional Inclusive Health Summit will be held in conjunction with the competition.
In parallel to the event, Special Olympics is expected to reveal the results of research on inclusion in health systems in India through the Rosemary Collaboratory, a initiative that examines the inequalities faced by people with IDD in healthcare systems around the world.
As part of the competition's legacy, there are plans to introduce a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed specifically to address the needs of people with IDD. "It aims to set a benchmark for accessibility. Ensure that all future events and activities conducted by Special Olympics Bharat are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities," Dr Nadda said.
The Asia Pacific Special Olympics Bowling Competition serves as a testament to the core values of the Special Olympics movement: diversity, inclusion and unity. As New Delhi prepares to host this monumental event, it hopes to send a global message of inclusion, a call to recognize and celebrate the potential of every individual and an opportunity to build a more inclusive society for all.
Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc. USA to carry out sports and development programs across India. Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement that uses sports, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Bharat is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India as a National Sports Federation for the development of sports for people with intellectual disabilities.
New Delhi [India], September 16: New Delhi will host the Asia Pacific Special Olympics Bowling Competition from November 18 to 23, 2024, marking a historic moment for the city and the bowling movement. Special Olympics. The much-awaited event was officially announced by Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat and Chairperson of Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council, during a press conference today.
In her statement, Dr Nadda said: "This event will be an extraordinary celebration of the incredible talent and unbreakable spirit of our athletes from across the Asia Pacific region. Everyone is invited to join an inspiring week of sports, camaraderie and joy along with the athletes and their families. Today the official logo of this regional competition is also presented, a symbol of diversity, inclusion and unity.”
This competition, which focuses on older athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) aged 22 years and above, is the first of its kind on a global scale to be held in India. It offers unique opportunities for this often neglected age group, whose participation in sports typically declines as they age.
About 100 athletes from more than 10 Special Olympics programs will participate in the competition. They come from three different regions: East Asia, Europe, Eurasia and Asia Pacific.
It also marks a historic first for Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) as it introduces bowling as a competitive sport in association with the Tenpin Federation of India. The partnership aims to empower senior athletes aged 22 and over, through an innovative initiative designed around a specific development programme.
Additionally, the competition will serve as a launch pad for the Strong Minds Program in India, a health initiative dedicated to promoting better mental health and the development of adaptive coping skills among athletes with IDD. This aligns with Special Olympics' broader mission to foster a culture of inclusion, health and well-being.
Additionally, free comprehensive health screenings will be provided to all participating athletes, underscoring the organization's dedication to overall wellness. At the same time, a Regional Inclusive Health Summit will be held in conjunction with the competition.
In parallel to the event, Special Olympics is expected to reveal the results of research on inclusion in health systems in India through the Rosemary Collaboratory, a initiative that examines the inequalities faced by people with IDD in healthcare systems around the world.
As part of the competition's legacy, there are plans to introduce a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed specifically to address the needs of people with IDD. "It aims to set a benchmark for accessibility. Ensure that all future events and activities conducted by Special Olympics Bharat are accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities," Dr Nadda said.
The Asia Pacific Special Olympics Bowling Competition serves as a testament to the core values of the Special Olympics movement: diversity, inclusion and unity. As New Delhi prepares to host this monumental event, it hopes to send a global message of inclusion, a call to recognize and celebrate the potential of every individual and an opportunity to build a more inclusive society for all.
Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc. USA to carry out sports and development programs across India. Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement that uses sports, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination and empower people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Bharat is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India as a National Sports Federation for the development of sports for people with intellectual disabilities.
