Chennai: The official logo for the Special Olympics International football championship which is to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here in the first week of June was launched at an event here, Monday.
The Special Olympics International Football Championship is expected to bring together top football athletes from around the world, with and without intellectual disabilities to train and compete as teammates. The matches will start from 6 June and the closing ceremony will be held on 9 June.
Speaking about the format of the tournament, Senior Sports Manager, Special Olympics, Asia Pacific, MS Nagarajan said ‘It is a five a side football tournament, with eight members in the squad that has both intellectually challenged and normal persons. We have made it into unified sports since this will give an opportunity for intellectually challenged players to train with a normal person. Also, we are expecting a minimum of 12 men teams and 4 women teams to participate in the tournament,’ he said.
About the Indian team participation, he said ‘India has asked for two entries since it is the host, so we have to discuss it with the organisation committee. Also, the national team wants to have a two-week coaching camp at the Nehru Stadium prior to the tournament. This will also be confirmed after the discussion.’
Padma Shri, Arjuna Awardee, 1982- Asian Games 800 meters Gold Medallist, Charles Borromeo delivered the keynote address during the event. Others present during the occasion were Director General – National Cyber Safety & Security standards, Chairman – Special Olympics International Football Championship, Dr Amar Prasad Reddy, Founder of Evoke Media, Cilvin J, Director – Organising Committee, R. Suresh, Sivakumar, Governor, VDGI and Lion Rajapandiyan, VDG2, Lions Club International.