This year, LPU is hosting the three-day 19th Punjab State Special Olympics. Nearly 500 athletes from 46 special schools all over the state are here, at the campus, to participate in various events including basketball, football, skating, shot put, table tennis, and badminton.
The games commenced on 8th Oct 2016.The Olympic Torch was lighted on the LPU campus and a torch march of nearly 4 Kms was made to the Cauldron on the LPU playground. LPU Chancellor Mr. Ashok Mittal presided over the opening ceremony while Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala, S. Jaskiran Singh was the Guest of Honour of the day. LPU Pro Chancellor Mrs. Rashmi Mittal was also present. Chancellor Mr. Ashok Mittal wished the participants all the best. Speaking about the 200 LPU volunteers who will be helping these students during the course of the games, Mr. Mittal said, “You are a source of inspiration for us. I feel that LPU students are blessed to work on this project.”
Some of the participating schools and organizations from across the state are: SAA Nagar Chapter Mohali, Panther Asha School Amritsar, Ek Nayee Umeed School Raikot, Darpan Gurdev Nagar, Bhagat Puran Singh School Amritsar, Vajra AWWA Asha School Jalandhar Cantt, Pathseekers, Ek Laksh School Sahnewal, Ek Pryaas Chandigarh, DAV Red Cross School Amritsar, District Special Olympics Patiala, Mother’s Care Special School Jalandhar, Pawan Sewa Samiti Barnala, Sanjeevni Jagraon, Umang Faridkot, Sarv Sikhia Abhiyaan Punjab Barnala, Sehyog, and Udaan.
State winners will further compete at the national, Asia-Pacific, and then the global level. Near 7,000 contestants with intellectual development disabilities from across the world compete in various sports events at the Special Olympics World Games. Last year, Indian players participated in the Summer Games held at Los Angeles, where India won 173 medals.
