CENTRE TO PROMOTE SPORTS AMONG
THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN
The Social Justice
and Empowerment Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya has assured of
all possible support from the Centre for promotion of sports among
the mentally challenged children. He was speaking at a sending
off ceremony for the Indian delegates to the XI Special Olympics
World Summer Games 2003 being held at Dublin, Ireland here today.
Wishing the participants a grand success, Dr. Jatiya said that
such events provide incentive for personal growth and confidence
building. He said that participation in Special Olympics would
provide them dignity and a sense of achievement. Dr. Jatiya said
society has a major role in ensuring an equal opportunity for
such children.
The Indian delegation
to the Special Olympics comprises of 83 mentally challenged athletes
and 20 coaches. They will participate in 11 of the 21 sports events
being held from 21st to 29th June 2003.
The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has provided Rs. 20
Lakh as grant for partly meeting the expenses. The Indian athletes
at the last World Games returned with a rich haul of 104 medals
including 23 gold.
The XI World Games
will showcase the athletic skills, courage and dignity of 7,000
athletes from 166 countries including India. This is the first
time that Special Olympics are being held outside the United States.
