New Delhi, March 5
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will attend the official send-off ceremony of the 49-member Indian team for the Special Olympics World Winter Games here at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in the national capital on Wednesday.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games are scheduled to be held from March 7 to 17 in Turin, Italy.
The Indian team, comprising 30 athletes, three officials, and 16 support staff including coaches, is the largest contingent. The special athletes will be competing in six disciplines – Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Floorball, Short Speed Skating, Snowboarding, and Snow Shoeing.
Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Sports Ministry has laid strong emphasis on supporting specially-abled athletes. In this connection, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) provided 11 national coaching camps for these athletes in various Indian cities – Chandigarh, Narkanda, New Delhi, Gwalior, Noida, and Gurgaon – to help them prepare well for the World Winter Games.
Additionally, SAI provided equipment support for training and competition. The Sports Ministry also sanctioned money towards airfare, boarding, and lodging for the participation of the Indian contingent in the World Winter Games, the Sports Ministry informed in a release on Tuesday.