Unified Competition 2026 in Chümoukedima united athletes with and without intellectual disabilities through inclusive sports and health screenings.
Our Reporter
Yapangnaro
DIMAPUR — The Unified Competition 2026, promoting inclusion for athletes with and without intellectual disabilities, was held at the Carmel Higher Secondary School campus at Chekiye Village, Chümoukedima, on Thursday.
The event was jointly organised by Special Olympics Bharat-Nagaland (SON), Development Association of Nagaland (DAN), and Lions International.
It brought together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete in athletics, basketball, football, badminton and bocce. A Healthy Athlete Programme was also conducted.
C Rajasekhar, Sports Expert and Board Member of Special Olympics Bharat, said unified sports are promoted in more than 190 countries to encourage inclusion and help athletes with intellectual disabilities develop skills by competing alongside athletes without disabilities.
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He said unified sports are conducted in team events such as football, basketball, volleyball and badminton, with teams comprising athletes with and without intellectual disabilities in a 50-50 or 60-40 ratio. According to Rajasekhar, the format promotes inclusion, bonding and encouragement for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Rajasekhar acknowledged that conducting sports events and health screenings simultaneously was challenging but said the responsibilities had been divided among participating organisations, with Grace Nursing & Health Science Institute conducting the health screenings, DAN providing support and trainers working alongside resource persons from the national office.
He said the competition forms part of the pathway to district, state and national camps, with the aim of qualifying athletes for the World Games.
Around nine organisations participated in the competition, with 67 athletes registered across Group A and Group B.
Grace Nursing & Health Science Institute conducted the Healthy Athlete Programme, while DAN provided accommodation and logistical support.
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The event also formed part of the practical component of an ongoing five-day Lions Coaches' Training Programme. Around 30 coaches from the seven sister states have been attending the training since July 5.
Arenla Tzudir, Board Member of Special Olympics Bharat and SON Area Director, said the competition was organised to provide coaches with practical experience of working with children and applying the skills learned during the training programme.
It was noted that Nagaland had completed online unified coaches' training in April, followed by eight weeks of field training in three schools. Thursday’s competition was one of four projects undertaken since then.
The Healthy Athlete Programme included screenings on physical fitness, hydration, personal care and lifestyle.
Special Olympics Nagaland had previously sent four athletes and one coach to the Australia Games and had also participated in the Bangkok Unified World Cup. It was added that logistical challenges remained in enabling children to participate in international competitions.
Lions International supported both the online coaches' training and the current training programme for coaches from the seven sister states.
Participating institutions, including Grace Christian Mission School, St. Mary Montessori Hr. Sec. School, Prodigals Home and others, were selected in coordination with NGOs and schools working with children with disabilities.