A surprise family reunion at a groundbreaking sports tournament in India
The irrepressible joy of Saijad Haider, 33, and Syed Shaban Ali, 18, couldn't be contained. Their meeting was so inspiring that it spilled over to all 280 athletes who competed at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Cricket Tournament, held from 1-6 December 2004 in Ahmedabad, India.
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From left: Nassim Ahmad, Growth Development Director for Special Olympics Pakistan; Ayed Shaban Ali, Special Olympics Pakistan athlete; Saijad Haider, Special Olympics Bharat (India) athlete; and Troy Greisen, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director. Ali and Haider are cousins who met each other for the first time at the Cricket Tournament. [All photos by Ryan M. Murphy] |
Haider, a Special Olympics athlete from Pakistan, and Ali, a Special Olympics athlete from Jharkhand, India, are cousins who met for the first time at the tournament. Haider and Ali were so happy about the reunion there were no hard feelings when their teams faced off against each other and Pakistan won. "I'm so glad I found my 'brother,'" Haider said. Jharkhand coach JMN Raju was overwhelmed by the sight of the cousins from across the border hugging each other.
The two men were among athletes that made up 21 teams from 20 states in India and one team from Pakistan who mobilized for the first-ever Special Olympics cricket tournament.
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An elaborate Opening Ceremonies featured traditional Indian dancing, a Parade of Athletes and five skydivers carrying Special Olympics flags who landed in the center of the stadium. Guests included Bollywood star Anil Kapoor and famous cricketer Parthiv Patel of the India National Team. |
Special Olympics Regional Sports Director Mike Goodacre indicated that cricket enjoys immense popularity in India and Pakistan and that the game would be an ideal platform to raise awareness about people with intellectual disabilities. "In two years, we hope to bring Special Olympics teams from all cricket-playing nations to compete in India," Goodacre said. "Efforts are also underway to include cricket as an official sport in Special Olympics." The Special Olympics tournament included 36 matches played on first-class cricket grounds, and was supported by more than 500 volunteers.
The Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run® Final Leg started at Ghandi Ashram. The torch wound its way through the streets of Ahmedabad, India, before making its way to Sadar Patel Stadium where Opening Ceremonies were held.
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New Delhi batsman strikes the ball and prepares to run down the wicket. |
The game of cricket originated in England in the 18th century. The sport is now played worldwide and is especially popular in Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the West Indies. Special Olympics East Asia plans to use cricket to raise awareness and attract athletes to the movement.
As of 2004, Special Olympics Bharat (India) serves 101,887 athletes, up an astonishing 171 percent from 2003's total of 37,546. In that same period, the number of state Programs has grown from 14 to 24, as Special Olympics Bharat has implemented an ambitious growth plan to meet its goals — and help the East Asia region meet its growth targets — for the end of 2005. Special Olympics has pledged to reach 2 million athletes worldwide by the end of the year.
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All 280 athletes had their eyes checked at the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® screening venue, where 32 percent were found to require prescription glasses. |
In addition to the cricket, the tournament featured a Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® screening venue. Opening Eyes is part of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® initiative. All 280 athletes had their eyes checked, and 32 percent were found to require prescription glasses. Healthy Athletes sponsors Essilor, the initiatives official global supplier of ophthalmic lenses, and The Sáfilo Group, supplier of optical frames and sunglasses, together provided the new glasses for athletes, and Sáfilo also provided sunglasses to all participating athletes not in need of prescription glasses.
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Athlete Evaluation Team: Bottom row (from left): Shamina Tirizi, Sijo Johney, Himanshu Madhogaria. Standing (from left): Charul Shah, Sachit Gandhi, V.R. Rao (athlete mentor). |
Following the tournament, an athlete evaluation team reviewed all facets of the competition and made recommendations for future cricket tournaments. Athletes assessed competition venues, housing, meals, transportation, signage, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, entertainment, awards, quality of competition and medical services. Sijo Johney, an athlete evaluator, said, "We should all keep dancing together. This is the real meaning of this event — the sportsmanship, the bonding, the coming together. I hope the memory of this event will keep each of you dancing in your hearts forever."
In the final analysis, the evaluation team was so impressed with the competition that it made the bold suggestion, "India should host a World Games."
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