PANJIM: Six Goan athletes –Navdeep Dhaku Pavane, Bibi Aisha Bijapuri, Ruturaj Gokuldas Sawant, Isaac Moulabaksh Bijapur, Shanur Jaicrula Nasargi –have been selected to represent India at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017, to be held in Austria from March 14 to 24.
Goa’s Victor Rafael Vaz has been appointed as the head of the delegation while Mahadev H Shinde has been appointed as the coach.
The Special Olympics Bharat Goa organised the send off ceremony at the Central Library – Patto, in the presence of Chief Minister of Goa Laxmikant Parsekar.
A delegation of 140 athletes, coaches, staff, officials, families and youth leaders headed by Victor Vaz would represent Special Olympics Bharat in 7 sports namely, alpine skiing, snow boarding, snow shoeing, figure skating, speed skating, floor hockey, floor ball (and unified floor ball), at the mega event.
The National team would leave for the Games on March 13.
The Games will feature nine different winter sports in venues located in the cities of Graz, Schladming and Ramsau. The opening ceremony at the Stadium Planai in Schladming on March 18 will signal the beginning of eight days of sporting competition. It is expected that 1000 media professionals from around the world will attend and cover the biggest sporting and humanitarian event in 2017 – the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria.
The Special Olympics Bharat team has been participating at the World Winter Games since 1993 beginning its participation with 12 athletes and 5 coaches in Austria, also the location for the upcoming Winter Games. The delegation in 1993 returned with a single gold medal. India’s numbers progressed rapidly reaching 75 medals including 28 gold, 31silver and 16 bronze with participation of 59 athletes at the previous SO World Winter games 2013 held in South Korea
State President Victor R Vaz said “It is a great honour to have six athletes and a coach from Goa representing India at the Special Olympics world winter Games, It proves that our hard work has paid dividends. In the days to come more Goan special athletes will be showcasing their sports skill on an International platform making us proud.”
Air Marshal Denzil Keelor PVSM, KC, AVSM, VrC , Founder and CEO, SO Bharat said, “I feel proud to announce that the SO Bharat athletes are ready to face competition on a global platform and that too in Winter Sports, an area which remains largely unexplored by the mainstream segment.
“The contingent consisting of 90 athletes is bigger than ever and despite experiencing a largely hot weather throughout the year the special athletes with steadfast support of the coaches are geared up to represent India.
“I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to every individual and every rganisation who has come forward to recognise the abilities of the athletes and to make it possible for us show such strength. I wish my best to all our athletes and coaches.
“We are grateful to Our supporters Stephen D’ Souza from Atlas Fisheries , Sports Authority of Goa , Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, All the special school in Goa, coaches , print and electronic media and well wishers,” he concluded.
