Kozhikode is set to host the second edition of Special Olympics Bharat (SOB)– Kerala from December 27 to 29. Mayor Beena Philip, chairperson of the organising committee, told the media on Monday (December 23) that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event at the Olympian Abdurahiman Stadium on the Government Medical College campus on Friday.
The Special Olympics is specifically designed for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, focusing on their abilities and strengths. The event will follow international protocols. The first Special Olympics Bharat-Kerala was held in Thiruvananthapuram in 2018, but it could not be held thereafter due to various reasons.
The event features participants from all 14 districts, with around 5,000 athletes from 300 special schools across the State, accompanied by their parents and teachers. It will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the synthetic track in the stadium and seven nearby venues. There are 495 competitions in 24 events, including running, walking, wheelchair race, long jump, high jump, shot put, and softball.
A unique feature of the Special Olympics is that there are no winners or losers. “Let me win, but if I cannot, let my attempt be brave,” is the motto, said Father Roy Kannanchira, area director of SOB. He added that the competition format and the announcement of results in SOB differ significantly from traditional sports.
The contestants are divided into two categories— Higher Ability and Lower Ability, based on assessments using the internationally recognised ‘Game Management System’ (GMS) software. While results are not announced, promising athletes will advance to national and international competitions.
“Athletes from Kerala have bagged over 100 international medals in the Special Olympics since 2013, a tally much higher than that in the regular Olympics”, Father Kannanchira said.
General convenor of the organising committee M.K. Jayaraj, programme manager of SOB Kerala Sister Rani Joe, and district coordinator of SOB Kerala P.K.M. Siraj were present at the press meet.
Published – December 23, 2024 11:40 pm IST