TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) and Special Olympics Australia have come together for the first time in the history of Special Olympics to work together in the best interests for the people with intellectual disability.
Two representatives from SOA are in the state to strengthen partnerships with SOB prior to the very first edition of Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games which will be held from November 29 to December 7 in Newcastle, Australia.
A football camp for athletes began on April 10 at St Cruz ground and will conclude on April 24 under the watchful eyes of Australian coach, Eddie Meechan.
“SOA has deputed Eddie Meechan, one of their seniormost football coaches to Goa to help Indian footballers for this event. Eddie has been conducting two training sessions a day with the team and working alongwith the Indian coaches,” informed Victor Vaz, national sports director, SOB at a press conference here, Monday.
The selection camp concluded in Hyderabad in which over 220 athletes took part out of which five Goans – Joseph Rodrigues, Inas Cruz, Swapnil Naik, Saish Naik and Sameer have been selected among the 28 probables,” added Vaz.
“I was very impressed with the talent of the Indian footballers, especially in terms of discipline. After working together with the Indian coaches, we have been able to sharpen the skills of the athletes on specific areas for the competition in Australia,” stated Meechan.
India will have a delegation of over 500 representatives which will include 400 athletes and 100 officials and field three football teams at the games besides aquatics, basketball, table-tennis, badminton squads.
“This is the first time in the history of Special Olympics that Special Olympics Bharat and Special Olympics Australia have come together for the very first edition of the Asia Pacific Regional Games,” said Air Marshall (retd) Denzil Keelor, founder-chairman, SOB.
Dr Rufino Monteiro, chairman, Goa Football Development Council praised SOB for its recent performance at the World Winter Games in South Korea and extended his full support. “The Special Olympics Goa football team is currently the top team in the nation and the India team is amongst the top ten in the world and GFDC will be glad to offer its services in conducting football camps in preparation for the world unified football championships,” said Dr Rufino.
SOB is also preparing a team that will take part in the preliminary round of the Special Olympics World Unified Football Cup which will be held from June 15 to 22 in Bangkok, where three teams from the Asia pacific region will proceed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the finals in December.
Vaz also informed that former India football team coach, Armando Colaco has given his consent to support SOB.
Sharon Nixon, national manager (communications), SOA was also present.
