? Around 400 athletes participated from the Udupi district

Media Release

Manipal, Apr 5: Asare-For Special Children, a joint project of Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Archana Trust and School, Rehabilitation Centre, Autism & Learning Disorder Division for Special Children, helped organise the National Health Fest for Divyangjan conducted by Special Olympics Bharat. The Health Fest includes screening of athletes with intellectual disabilities from April 5 to 7.

Upholding the World Health Day and celebrating an Inclusive health week Special Olympics Bharath medically screened 75000 athletes, across 75 cities of India marking the 75 years of independence.

Around 400 participants were present from the Udupi District. The chief guest of the event was Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE.  

Prior to the event, 7500 clinical volunteers across the country were trained according to the Special Olympics guidelines, to carry out the screenings effectively. The Athletes were screened across Special Smiles (Dental) and Health Promotion (prevention & nutrition) all over India.

Speaking on the occasion chief guest Dr H S Ballal said, “We are extremely pleased to be lending support in this noble cause. People with intellectual disabilities can be prone to chronic health conditions, therefore regular screening is extremely important for them. The pandemic was a huge setback for the health and sports program, especially for Athletes with intellectual disabilities. Through our participation in this event, Asare and MAHE aim to bridge this gap and provide the necessary access to healthcare facilities, diet plans and health advisories to the athletes” 200, Athlete from Udupi District said “This Health Fest is a great initiative organised by Special Olympics Bharat and Asare-MAHE. It has provided access to screening facilities and has stressed on the importance of physical activity, nutrition and hydration for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Such health camps are extremely crucial and I am glad to have had an opportunity to participate in it.”

About Special Olympics Bharat

Special Olympics Bharat is a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc.USA, to conduct sports and development programs all over India. Special Olympics Bharat is registered with the Indian Trusts Act 1882 and is recognized by the Government of India as a National Sports Federation (since 2006) for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. Founded by Air Marshal Denzil Keelor PVSM, KC, AVSM, VrC, in 2001 it has over 1.5 million Athletes registered across all the States and Union Territories of India.

Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Founded in 1968 by Ms Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 6 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in more than 190 countries. Special Olympics works through seven regions, out of which India falls under the Asia Pacific Region. In the Asia Pacific region, Special Olympics has touched the lives of more than 1.7 million athletes across 35 countries.

About Asare-For Special Children

‘Asare’ – a trusted helping hand for the mentally challenged citizens was conceived jointly by Manipal Academy of Higher Education and Archana Trust with the noble ideals of providing a strong sense of support base to those who are unfortunately deprived of the natural mental growth due to varied reasons. It aims to help the mentally challenged regardless of the degree or type of the disability, caste, creed, race or religion, community, economic, or social background. The objective is to create a better world for the specially abled people and instill in them the belief that attitude is the biggest need for progress and every obstacle could be overcome with a strong will. Asare has also been awarded as Outstanding Institution by Ministry of Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, Government of Karnataka for outstanding contribution to the society.