Special Olympics for Divyang Children: National Bocce Championship Held in Bilaspur

Intellectually Disabled Children Showcase Talent
Bilaspur’s Simran Pujara Wins Two Gold Medals

Raipur, Aug 25 : The National Bocce Championship for intellectually disabled children was successfully organized under the joint aegis of Special Olympics Bharat, Chhattisgarh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee University from July 24 to 28 at Pandit Sunderlal Sharma University in Bilaspur. The event saw participation from 250 athletes with intellectual disabilities, 50 coaches, and 20 resource persons from 22 states across India. The athletes demonstrated exceptional sporting skills throughout the competition.

The event was inaugurated by Bilaspur MLA Mr. Amar Agrawal with the traditional Olympic oath. Mr. Agrawal emphasized that such inclusive events offer special children a platform to integrate into the mainstream of society, helping boost their self-confidence and uncover their hidden talents. He remarked that sports are not just about winning or losing, but about fostering human connections.

The five-day championship featured singles, doubles, and unified matches across sub-junior, junior, and senior categories. A key highlight was the Unified Games, in which specially-abled and non-disabled athletes competed together, promoting inclusivity and mutual understanding.

In a standout performance, the duo of Simran Pujara and Soumya Tiwari from Bilaspur clinched two gold medals in the Unified Senior category. Other notable winners hailed from Delhi, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar.

To ensure the well-being of participants, the organizers arranged health check-ups, dental camps, and nutritional counselling during the championship. Dr. Pramod Tiwari, Area Director of Special Olympics Bharat, briefed attendees about the organization’s various programs, including health initiatives, family forums, and the Young Athletes Program. He highlighted that unified sports not only boost the confidence of athletes with intellectual disabilities but also strengthen their connection with society.