Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 27
A Special Olympics Nagaland (SON) – Young Athlete Meet took place here today at G. Rio School.
Young Athlete is an innovative sports programme that provides opportunities for children (above 8 years) with intellectual disabilities to be active, have fun and learn foundation sports skills. The programme supports physical, cognitive and social development skills, which is important both on and off the sports field.
SON started in Nagaland in 2009 by family and volunteers, committed for the uplift of all types of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in the state. So far it has covered all 11 districts with SO programs. It has conducted four state games, participated in four national games and four national championship, two international competitions in Bangkok and Australia.
SON special athlete Tiaba Tzudir was conferred National Award for the role model 2015 by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India with citation and cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.
SON organizes the programme through families and well wishers free will contributions. The department of Youth Resources and Sports assured SON that it would give the applicable cash award from next year as per Naga Sports Policy.
So far, SON has won 31 gold medal, 45 silver and 23 bronze. This includes 1 gold and two silver in international event, 99 medals in national and international competitions.
Meanwhile, SON plans to launch Unified Sports in Dimapur and also to participate in World Summer Games in 2019.
Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, Music Task Force and State Lotteries, Khriehu Liezietsu, who was present at inaugural function stressed on the importance of the support of family members towards people with ‘intellectual disabilities’.
Kohima Deputy Commissioner Rovilatuo Mor said the differently-abled children possessed their own special talent and specialty which need to be given due attention to tap it. He urged the concerned persons to discover the abilities of the differently-abled children and use for meaningful purposes.
Around 200 children from 6 schools which include Cherry Blossom School Kohima, G. Rio School Kohima, Jo Foundation Kohima, Chandmari HSS Kohima, Tabitha Enabling Academy and Merry Tots participated in this young athlete.
