The Special Olympics Bharat-Odisha in collaboration with the KIIT University would hold the Special Olympics Inter-Regional Unified 11 a -side Football Tournament at the KIIT University Stadium here from December 1 to 5.
Teams from Thailand, Bangladesh, Korea and India would be participating in the league matches. Such a tournament is being held for the first time in the country and Odisha.
The main motive is people with intellectual disability can develop superior sporting abilities playing with normal people, said national sports director, Special Olympics Bharat Victor Baz at a Press conference here on Saturday..
Director organisational development, Special Olympics Asia Pacific region Dipak Natali said events like these help create competitive opportunities for athletes to showcase their abilities at a wider platform, also ensuring being followed universally.
As a precursor to the event a special coach development programme would be held from November 27 to 29 and 50 coaches from India would be participating in the Special Olympics Coach Development programme created in partnership with Totteham Hotspur Foundation, a football from the United Kingdom. Trainers Joshua Kelly and Daniel Dodge from Tottenham Football Club will be present to oversee the training. Besides, an unified football referee training programme would be held from November 30 t0 December 1. Among others, honorary area director Special Bharat Odisha Prakash K Rath was present.