Team Special Olympics Bharat Accorded Grand Send-Off Ahead of Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026

Faridabad July 2026 : Team Special Olympics Bharat was accorded a warm send-off at Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, ahead of its departure for the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in Paris, France, from 6–11 July 2026.

The send-off ceremony was graced by Shri Ayush Sinha (IAS), Hon’ble Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad, as the Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI), in the esteemed presence of Dr. N. C. Wadhwa, Director General, MREI. The ceremony brought together athletes, unified partners, coaches, officials, supporters and members of the Special Olympics Bharat family to celebrate and encourage the contingent before they embark on their international campaign.

The dignitaries extended their best wishes to the Indian delegation, applauding the commitment, perseverance and team spirit demonstrated by the athletes and support staff. They lauded the role of sport in fostering inclusion and empowering persons with intellectual disabilities to achieve excellence on and off the field.

Unified Sports is a flagship initiative of the Special Olympics movement that brings together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train and compete. By promoting teamwork, friendship, mutual respect and inclusion, Unified Sports creates opportunities for meaningful social inclusion while challenging stereotypes through the power of sport.

The Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026 marks the third edition of the global tournament and will be held across venues in the heart of Paris. The championship will feature 24 teams—12 men’s and 12 women’s teams—from around the world, comprising athletes with intellectual disabilities and Unified partners competing together for the Unified Football World Cup title.

Special Olympics Bharat will represent India in the Men’s Unified Football Competition (11-a-side). The Indian delegation comprises 20 members, including athletes, unified partners, coaches and support staff, who will proudly represent the nation on the global stage.

Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries wished Team Bharat success in the tournament and expressed confidence that the contingent would not only compete with excellence but also embody the values of courage, determination, inclusion and unity that define the Special Olympics movement.

Special Olympics Bharat expressed its sincere gratitude to Manav Rachna Educational Institutions for hosting the send-off ceremony and for its continued support in advancing the mission of inclusion through sport.As Team Bharat departs for Paris, the nation stands united in wishing the contingent success as they represent India and champion the transformative power of Unified Sports on the world stage.