Mumbai, 16 February 2018: The second part of the Unified Sports Festival supported by HASBRO Inc took place here today at the SAI Centre (Sports Authority of India ground), Kandivali East from 9AM-3PM. The event gave a platform to 1000 people with and without Intellectual Disabilities as team mates in sports. Ages 12-18 years participated in the competitive models of Unified Athletics (100 mtr run) and Unified 5-a-side football which was conducted with the support of 75 volunteers from St. Andrews College, Bandra and Indian Institute of Sports Management. Volunteers from HASBRO Pune and Mumbai were present at the occasion to witness the competitions as well as engage with the Athletes and Unified Partners.
In October 2016, HASBRO launched BE FEARLESS BE KIND, its largest philanthropic initiative ever, designed to empower youth to have the empathy, compassion and courage to stand up for others and be inclusive throughout their lives, serving as positive role models and change makers. Through this project HASBRO connected with Special Olympics Bharat in India. They engaged with the SO Bharat Mumbai Athletes in November 2016 in recreational activities conducted with Athletes and Unified partners within the ages 8-12 yrs, as part of this initiative.
It may be pertinent to note that the successful and enhanced attempt to fuel Unified Sports with the support of HASBRO evolves in the year 2018 which marks 50 years of the Special Olympics movement globally.
“The HASBRO support has definitely enhanced Unified Sports participation and that too in the higher age group. The competitive model which was conducted today generated a lot of excitement as six more mainstream schools sent their students in large numbers’ - Ms Sandra Vaz, Area Director SO Bharat Maharashtra
“HASBRO is very proud of its relationship with Special Olympics in India and is excited to be a part of the Unified Sports festival in Mumbai. It is through events like these, that our ‘Be Fearless, Be Kind’ initiative can empower youth to have empathy, compassion and courage to stand up for others” - Bhavesh Somaya, HASBRO Inc , Country Manager India
About 50 years Celebrations
Special Olympics is celebrating 50 years of creating a more inclusive, welcoming world for all. The global celebrations will inspire new generations to see the beauty, dignity and talent of persons with Intellectual Disabilities. Since 1968, Special Olympics has been changing attitudes about the talents of people with intellectual disabilities. Since 1968, Special Olympics has been changing the world
India celebrates having over 1.3 million Athletes from all the states and Union Territories successfully having nurtured sporting skills of the Athletes (persons with Intellectual disabilities) for the World Games over the years, with growing support of the Government of India and a wide network of educational institutions. With the support of global entities like the LCI, ESPN, IKEA Foundation, Herbalife, WWE, HASBRO the platform of providing opportunities to one of the most marginalized and invisible segments of the society accentuates the message and urgency of Inclusion.
About Special Olympics Bharat:
Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation having over 12 lakh Special Athletes registered. It is accredited by Special Olympics Inc, Washington, to conduct Special Olympics Programs all over India. It organizes Olympic-type sports for persons with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is an international organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports every day around the world. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to 5.5 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics is able to deliver 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 70,000 competitions throughout the year
Special Olympics Bharat organizes sports and competitions at various levels- local, district, state, national and international and based on abilities and performance athletes cross each level to participate at higher consecutive levels.