Special Olympics Bharat Announces Squad for Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition
Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), the national organization dedicated to promoting sports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has unveiled a 16-member squad to represent India at the upcoming Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition. The event, scheduled from November 18th to 22nd at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi, will mark the first global competition of its kind to be held in India.
The Indian contingent comprises eight athletes each for Bocce and Bowling, accompanied by eight coaches. The Men’s Bocce squad features Kabir Pritam Baruah, Ebenezer David, Wilfred Dsouza, and Devansh Agarwal, while the Women’s team includes Priyanka, Manjula, Purnima Madan, and G. Subhashini. The Bowling teams consist of Neha Singh, Simran Pujara, Shraddha Patel, and Susri Sangeeta Nayak for the Women’s side, and Ibhanan Sahu, Ankit, Prakash Veghela, and Nirupam Dey for the Men’s team.
Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of SOB, expressed her pride in the squad’s selection. “This team embodies the spirit of perseverance and dedication that defines our athletes,” she said. “Each member brings not only skill and determination but also the unwavering belief that inclusion and empowerment can transform lives.”
The competition will focus on older athletes with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) aged 22 or above, providing a unique opportunity for this often-underserved age group. Over 100 athletes from 12 Special Olympics Programs across East Asia, Europe Eurasia, and Asia Pacific will participate, representing countries such as Australia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macao, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh.
The event also marks a significant milestone for SOB, as it introduces bowling as a competitive sport for Special athletes in partnership with the Tenpin Federation of India. This move aligns with SOB’s mission to provide inclusive sports opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, regardless of their age or ability.
