Latest news with #MallikaNadda
India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Special Olympics Bharat president Mallika Nadda speaks on India's participation in Gothia Cup 2025
New Delhi [India], July 10 (ANI): Special Olympics Bharat president Dr Mallika Nadda spoke on India's participation in the Gothia Cup 2025, being held at Sweden, the world's largest youth football tournament, saying that the SOB team and an under-15 Haryana women's team will be featuring in the tournament. The tournament is the world's largest youth football tournament, which witnesses participation from around 1,900 teams and 75 nations, playing almost 5,000 games on 112 pitches, as per the tournament's website. The first-ever tournament was held back in 1975 and was kick-started by football clubs BK Hacken and GAIS, and a local newspaper. This year, from July 13 to 19, it will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden. Speaking on India's participation, Nadda said to the media, 'The Gothia Cup 2025 is being organised in Sweden, where 70 countries from around the world will participate, and approximately 1,900 teams will assemble to play football. The Special Olympics Bharat and the Haryana girls' under-15 team are leaving today for Sweden to participate in the tournament.' On the participation of the Indian contingent, Ambassador of Sweden to India, Jan Thesleff, said to media, 'We are sending two teams to the Gothia Cup 2025, the world's largest youth football tournament. Over 40,000 athletes and 1,950 teams from more than 70 countries will participate. We are proud that India is well represented. One team is from Haryana, the girls' under-15 team, in which many players are travelling abroad for the first time. They have demonstrated their skills for this tournament. We also have a Special Olympics Bharat team, which is competing for the second time after winning in 2024, and we are proud to send champions again...' Back in 2023, Minerva Academy FC made history as it became the first-ever Indian club to clinch the Gothia Cup, being held in Sweden, defeating Ordin FC, a Brazilian side. Minerva beat Ordin by 3-1 in the Boys 13 category. Last year, the SO Bharat team was placed in Group 5 along with Parasport Denmark 2, Special Olympics Finland Mixed, Special Olympics Hong Kong, and Special Olympics Germany 1. SO Bharat won their opening group game against SO Finland 3-0, and then followed it up with a big win of 6-0 against SO Germany. The Indian contingent won over Hong Kong by 6-0 in Match 3, and then followed it up with another big win by 3-1 against SO Denmark to make it into the Final. The nail-biting group final between SO Bharat and SO Denmark went right down to the wire, but SO Bharat athletes won the thriller with a score of 4-3 to lift the trophy. Muhammad Shaheer, who hails from Kerala, scored seven goals, the maximum by any Indian player. Shaheer, a son of fisherman, has an Intellectual disability and nurtures a passion for football along with other sports, including cycling and swimming. (ANI)
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
"Each One Reach One": Special Olympics Bharat launches nationwide registration drive
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Special Olympics Bharat (SO Bharat) on Saturday announced the launch of 'Each One Reach One,' a nationwide registration drive aimed at identifying and including more persons with intellectual disabilities under one roof, according to a release from Special Olympics Bharat. Kicking off across India, this initiative aims to expand the reach of Special Olympics Bharat, providing opportunities for sports training, health initiatives, education and youth development to countless individuals with intellectual disabilities. SO Bharat has been diligently working to provide opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the fields of sports, health, education and youth leadership, the release stated. This campaign is another step towards fulfilling SO Bharat's aim to create an inclusive and accepting society, helping people from all walks of life cherish their dreams. 'We are incredibly excited to launch 'Each One Reach One,' a vital initiative that represents our commitment to inclusion and empowerment,' said Mallika Nadda, President of SO Bharat. 'This drive is an endeavour to reach every potential person with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), giving them the chance to discover their strengths, build confidence and experience the joy of sports, leading to overall personality development. We believe that every individual, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to shine,' he added. Due to the efforts of SO Bharat, various athletes have represented India at the World Games, returning with stellar medal counts and making the nation proud. Most recently, in March 2025, SO Bharat athletes displayed exceptional performance at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, winning a total of 33 medals, including 8 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze. The 'Each One Reach One' registration drive is a crucial step towards realising Special Olympics Bharat's vision of a more inclusive and accepting society. It aims to include more individuals with intellectual disabilities in its roster and help them identify their potential and excel in sports, education and leadership. (ANI)
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ramps for PwDs at govt buildings
N ew Delhi: Delhi govt on Saturday announced that all state buildings and sports stadiums in the capital will soon be redesigned to better serve persons with disabilities (PwDs). These upgrades will include features like ramps, lifts, and Braille signage, among others. The govt stated that this decision was made during a meeting between CM Rekha Gupta and Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, to review the ongoing Sugamya Delhi Abhiyan. The meeting, which was also attended by Delhi education minister Ashish Sood and senior officials from the office of the chief commissioner for PwDs, focused on enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities in public spaces, educational institutes, and sports stadiums. The statement added thatthe city aims to implement accessibility upgrades across govt and institutional infrastructure. "The govt is committed to transforming Delhi into a model of accessibility and inclusion," Gupta said. She added that the initiative will not only raise awareness about accessibility standards but also promote inclusive practices across public services. TNN
