PANJIM: The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) organised the 1st State Level Sports Competitions Athletic Meet for Special School Children at the SAG Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, recently.
Sports Minister Manohar Babu Azgaonkar declared the meet open in the presence of SAG Executive Director V M Prabhudesai and assured the Government’s full cooperation and support for the special children.
V M Prabhudessai ED SAG, remembered the Chief Minister Parrikar, who pioneered this concept for special children and assured everyone present that it would be an annual event every year.
In all 22 Special schools from Pernem to Canacona took part with an approximate 900 special athletes in Intellectually Disenabled (ID) & Hearing Impaired (HI) categories, competitions in different Track & Field events in the said meet.
Principals of the Special Schools praised the efforts of the state government for taking this initiative for being the first in the country other than the Special Olympic India.
They also thanked VM Prabhudesai ED SAG for successfully organising the event with meticulous planning.
FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera and assistant coach Derrick Perreira were the guests and awarded the medals and certificates to the winners of the special athletes.
Fr Maverick of Caritas Goa, Veena Shekwalkar Principal Disha Special School, SR Monica Principal of St. Xavier Special School Old Goa, Girish Lotlikar President GBA, Sandeep Heble Secretary Goa Badminton Association president and SAG team conducted the event.