Separate stadium will be built for the differently-abled in the state: Minister of Divyang Welfare

Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan has assured that he will instruct all universities to allow disabled students to use the sports facilities in public universities in the state free of charge for practice. He made a statement at the prize distribution ceremony of the three-day National Swimming Championship for the Intellectually Disabled held in Mumbai was concluded on Wednesday, August 6 at the Convocation Hall of the University of Mumbai by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan.

A three-day National Swimming Championship was organised by the Maharashtra branch of the organisation 'Special Olympics India' in Kandivali, Mumbai.

The award ceremony was graced by the presence of State Minister for Divyang Welfare Atul Save, Dr. Mallika Nadda, National President of Special Olympics Bharat, Dr. Medha Somaiya, President of the Maharashtra Chapter, Dr. Prashant Narnavare, Secretary to the Governor, S. Ramamoorthy, Deputy Secretary, Dr. Bhagwan Talware, General Secretary of Special Olympics Bharat – Maharashtra, as well as specially-abled athletes Munira Murtuza and Karan Naik. Specially-abled participants, coaches, volunteers, and invitees from various states across the country were also present.

Physically and intellectually disabled people are an integral part of society. Governor stated that the dream of a developed India cannot be fully realised without the holistic development of specially-abled individuals. He added that universities will be instructed to allow specially-abled athletes in the state to use sports facilities on their campuses free of cost for practice.

The problems of intellectually disabled people are different and challenging than those of other disabled people. Intellectually disabled boys and girls need acceptance, opportunities and inspiration from society. The Governor said that the care of intellectually disabled persons is not only the responsibility of their parents, but the entire society should accept their responsibility.

The Governor said that children with intellectual disabilities can be emotionally empowered through sports and entertainment. The inspiration they receive from people when they participate in sports makes them more confident.

Referring to the outstanding performance of specially-abled children at the Special Olympics held in Berlin in 2023, the Governor expressed confidence that athletes from the state and across the country will perform even better at the upcoming Special Olympics in Chile, South America, in 2027.

Atul Save, Minister for Disabled Welfare, said that open gymnastics equipment will soon be installed in schools for disabled children in the state. He said that the government is considering building a separate stadium for disabled players in Nagpur or Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.

Special Olympics India is not just an organisation, but a nationwide movement for the inclusion of intellectually disabled people, said Dr. Mallika Nadda, president of the organisation.

He said that the organisation is working to ensure that the disabled in the country are integrated into the mainstream of society, that they are given equal rights, that they can live with dignity, and that they become self-reliant. He said that Special Olympics India is an organisation that strives for sports, education and health of the disabled.

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Dr. Medha Somaiya, President of the Maharashtra branch of Special Olympics India, gave the introduction, while Dr. Bhagwan Talwar, General Secretary of the organisation, proposed the vote of thanks. The Governor distributed gold, silver and bronze medals to the winners of the swimming competition. Intellectually challenged boys and girls from 20 states participated in this competition.