Special Olympics athletes gear up for Berlin Games 2023

The National Coaching Camp, sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India, is hosting over 380 campers from 23 Indian states, including 177 special athletes, who are competing in 15 sports.

The camp is being conducted at Amity University UP in Noida, with golf being played at the Noida Golf Course and all other sports being organised on the university’s expansive campus. The camp seeks to improve the athletes’ individual and competitive skills so they can finally compete on a worldwide scale.

Sessions of coach briefing and training of the athletes are running parallel to ensure a holistic experience for both, as well as expanding opportunities for engagement between the two. Additionally, oral health screenings are also being organised on April 28 as part of regular medical screenings that aim to maintain health parameters for an enhanced quality of life, as per a press release from Special Olympics Bharat.

Dr. Mallika Nadda said the World Games are an opportunity for athletes to demonstrate ability, positivity, and confidence. “The world gets to see the beauty of diversity and inclusion.” The national camp being conducted here at Amity University is witnessing our athletes pushing their limits even further, under the able guidance of our coaches, and gaining more confidence to level global competition. We hope to spread a message of recognising and respecting differences through events such as this for the whole community here to develop an attitude of inclusion.”

From 17–25 June, 2023, Berlin, Germany, will welcome 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and unified partners from approximately 190 countries to compete in 26 sports. The athletes will be supported by more than 3,000 coaches and 20,000 volunteers. 202 athletes, partners, and 59 coaches are gearing up from India to participate in 16 sports.