Unified Sports Program at National level held at Rayat Bahra Institute, Hoshiarpur

Hoshiarpur, November 16, 2016 – A first ever Unified Sports Program at the National level held at the Rayat Bahra Institute, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, closes today. The Guest of Honour at the closing ceremony was Shri Amrit Sagar Mittal, Vice Chairman, Sonalika Group. Sardar Paramjit Singh Sachdeva, Area director, SO Bharat- Punjab was also present at the occasion.

The highlight was the welcome of the Chief Guest, Shri AmritSagar Mittal, Vice Chairman, Sonalika Group meeting the players, an exciting Jumble March and a summary and an address by the Area Director. This was followed by an exhibition football match, and acolourful medal ceremony and certificate distribution. The games were finally declared closed.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mittal said, “This has been an extraordinary effort and there is so much to learn from this exercise. I am sure all concerned have gained a lot in joy, in enthusiasm and also understood the great courage that has been displayed. We should have many more such initiativeslike this and I congratulate all concerned.” Sardar Paramjit Singh Sachdeva, Area director, SO Bharat — Punjab felt enthused by the support such an exercise has received. “Like the torch of games, let this be a shining example to the whole country. We are deeply grateful to all concerned and I thank all concerned.”
The significant meet featured Football, Badminton and Table Tennis. Division-wise, preliminary rounds and competitions across all three sport disciplines were be carried out from 13th until the 16th of November. 17 States sent a team each to participate in the event.
The YAP is an early intervention program targeting children with intellectual disabilities between ages 2 & 8, to improve their motor skills and also preparing them for participation in the larger sports program. Alongside sports, Healthy Athlete train the trainer sessions as well as screening of Athletes were conducted across Healthy Hearing, Funfitness, Fitfeet and Health Promotion. The multi discipline training was held in India for the first time, although there have been few held earlier in single disciplines. Four Regional (Asia Pacific Region) Clinical Advisors, from India, Slovania, Malaysia and Germany carried out the training. Thirty doctors from all over India were oriented with the Special Olympics Program so that they can screen Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. The Special Olympics Program focusses on the power of the youth for educating, recognizing and motivating others to join the movement, a daylong session on Youth Activation will be held on 15 November with 20 Youth leaders and 10 Athletes.
Unified Sports encourages persons with and without Intellectual disabilities to team up and play. As this breaks barriers inasmuch as targeting common goals and sharing experiences, it is considered a catalyst in promoting inclusion.