Young Athletes: Because they are special

KOHIMA, MAY 27: In an attempt to engage children with special needs in activities that would help them build their “foundational sports skill”, the Special Olympics Nagaland chapter on Friday organized an event called the “Young Athletes” at G Rio School, Kohima.
According to the organizers, the event was an innovative sports program that sought provide opportunities for young children with intellectual disabilities to be active, have fun and learn foundational sports skills.
The event was launched by the parliamentary secretary for Youth resources and Sports, and Music Task Force, Khriehu Liezietsu.
Referring to the Special Olympics Summer Games –a sports program that helps to lower the rate of cardio vascular diseases and obesity, among other health benefits through physical activity – Liezietsu said that “through this program, children also gain emotional and psychological benefits, including self confidence, social competence, building greater athletic skills and higher self esteem”.
Emphasizing on the importance of family support and volunteering, Liezietsu said “this can boost the athletes’ self esteem and will be looked at as a constant source of encouragement”. Thus, he encouraged the special children as well as their parents to work together in order to move forward and excel in life.
He also hoped that with today’s launch of Young Athletes, the program would go a long way in creating awareness among the people in order to help the growth of Special Olympics in Nagaland.
Rovilatuo Mor, the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Kohima, graced the program as the guest of honour. Mor stated that “the terminology for handicapped children has undergone a tremendous change, who today are referred to as ‘differently-abled’”.
He appreciated that “today the people’s mindset are in the right approach of understanding these special category of children, to give appropriate attention required from the society”. He further stressed on the need for the people to acknowledge their special inbuilt potential, and make all attempts to create avenues and platform to express their abilities and potentials to the fullest. This, he said, will encourage and strengthen the children in developing their personality.
Special Olympics Nagaland (SON), Area Director, Aren said that “we are looking forward to launch Unified Sports in Dimapur and to participate in the World Summer Games in 2019 to be hosted by Special Olympics Bharat in Gujarat”.
The launch program was followed by a skill training sessions for Children with Special Needs (CSNs). Special award for the Most Promising Young Athlete 2016 was awarded to Chumremo from Cherry Blossoms School, while the Best Disciplined Young Athlete was awarded to Ketsinsha Tesla from G Rio School and Special Award to Zulu from Tabitha Enabling Academy.