Chandigarh , February 3:- Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Naib Singh Saini said that the athletes participating in the Special Olympics are overcoming challenges and giving the message that if given the opportunity , training and confidence , every person can become extraordinary .
The Chief Minister was addressing a programme organised at the inauguration of the Special Olympics India National Athletics Championship at Maharishi Dayanand University in Rohtak on Tuesday . More than 500 athletes , their coaches and partners from 26 states are participating in this championship .
The Chief Minister has announced that following the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for India, a Divyang Stadium will be built in the state for the convenience of Divyang players . This stadium will also have accommodation facilities for Divyang players . At the same time, the Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs 31 lakh to Special Olympics India and Minister of State for Sports Shri Gaurav Gautam announced a grant of Rs 21 lakh .
Earlier, Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini also inaugurated the construction of Girls Sports Hostel in Abhilasha Girls Hostel Complex of Maharishi Dayanand University , Rohtak . This Girls Sports Hostel will have a capacity of 150 students . The total cover area of ??this multi-storey structure has been determined to be about 2374 square meters , which will cost about five crore rupees .
Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister said that the speciality of Special Olympics is that it gives us the vision to see sports not only through the eyes of medals and competition , but also as the power and potential of the human spirit . In this Olympics, the players who run , cry and struggle for victory on the field teach us that the limits are not of the body but of the mind . Through these programmes, along with the health of the players, mental empowerment and leadership skills are also developed . This is true inclusion , where the players are not just medal winners but also become active citizens of the society , sources of inspiration and role models .
He said that it is often seen that in the society, Paralympics and Special Olympics are considered to be the same . In fact, both are different but equally important . Paralympics are organized for athletes with physical disabilities while Special Olympics is a global movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities .
The Chief Minister said that Special Olympics India is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Union Government . This is a powerful testament to the inclusive sports policy of our country which believes in giving every citizen the opportunity to progress according to his/her potential . A 49- member Indian contingent participated in the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Italy , in which 28 players won 33 medals and made the entire country proud . These medals are a story of the struggle , discipline and self-confidence of the players .
**Haryana Sports Powerhouse??
Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini said that Haryana is a powerhouse of sports . It is a matter of pride that this land has given the country many Olympians and world-winning champions . He mentioned the Special Olympics player from Haryana Keshav who was present in the program and praised his achievements .
He said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are moving towards a developed India and an inclusive India . At such a time, events like Special Olympics remind us that the real measure of development is how empowered the weakest person in the society feels . In Haryana, we are working with full commitment for the empowerment of the differently-abled , development of sports and inclusive policies .
**Haryana doubles budget for sports??
The Chief Minister said that the government has spent Rs 989 crore in the last 11 years on developing sports facilities across the state . The budget of the sports department has also been increased by more than double . He said that in the year 2014-15 it was Rs 275 crore . The BJP government has increased it to Rs 602 crore 18 lakh in the current financial year . The Chief Minister said that the state government is giving cash prizes of up to Rs 6 crore to Olympic , Paralympic and other international medal winners .
He said that the state government has established a Sports University in Rai district, Sonipat . At present, there are 3 state-level sports complexes , 21 district-level sports stadiums , 25 sub-divisional stadiums , 163 Rajiv Gandhi Rural Sports Complexes , 245 rural stadiums and 382 indoor gyms available in villages in the state . Apart from these , 10 swimming pools , 11 synthetic athletics tracks , 14 hockey astroturfs , 2 football synthetic grounds and 9 multi-purpose halls have also been constructed .
The Chief Minister said that the government is also providing sports equipment to the players . For this, the Haryana Sports Equipment Provision Scheme has been made . Under this, equipment has been provided to 15 thousand 634 players . He said that to ensure the safe future of the players, the government has implemented the Haryana Excellent Sports Service Rules 2021. Along with this , a rehabilitation center has been started for the players in Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex Panchkula .
**Model sports centre of North India to be built in Haryana - Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam
The state's Minister of State for Sports, Shri Gaurav Gautam said that sports facilities are being developed for Divyang players in Daulatabad, Gurugram . Along with this, a model centre for North India will also be set up in the state . He said that this championship is a celebration of inclusive India and human values . This will instill self-confidence in these special players . He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Union Finance Minister has increased the budget for sports by 33 percent.
**Haryana playing a leading role in sports - Dr . Mallika Nadda
Special Olympics India led by Dr. Mallika Nadda said that Haryana state is playing a leading role in the field of sports . Haryana players are bringing glory to the state and the country at the national and international level . She said that sports centers are being developed in the state . The government is giving cash prizes and government jobs to the players . Dr. Mallika Nadda said that the budget for sports has been increased in the budget presented by the Union Finance Minister under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi . The central government gives cash prizes to special players on winning medals . She said that the main objective of these games is to integrate the players into the mainstream so that they can make their significant contribution to a developed India . The slogan of this competition is revolution through sports, so that these special players can be integrated into the mainstream through sports.
On this occasion , BJP National Secretary and former Minister Mr. Om Prakash Dhankhar , BJP State President Mr. Mohan Lal Kaushik , former Minister Mr. Manish Grover , Mayor Mr. Ram Avtar Valmiki , Vice Chancellor of Maharishi Dayanand University Prof. Rajbir Singh , Vice Chancellor of DLC Supwa Dr. Amit Arya , Vice Chancellor of SJCT University Dr. Hemant Verma and other dignitaries were present .