 |
Kapil Dev (center) is welcomed in his new role as brand ambassador by Special Olympics Bharat athlete Joginder Bendi(right) and Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director Troy Greisen. (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Bharat) |
Special Olympics Bharat (India) appointed Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Kapil Dev as its brand ambassadors on 17 November 2005. By appointing the two sporting celebrities as its goodwill ambassadors, Special Olympics Bharat aims to achieve a much higher level of involvement and awareness throughout India and other countries.
Legendary cricketer Dev said, "It's a complete honor for me to get this opportunity to be of some help to Special Olympics. I truly relate to this movement and strongly believe that we ourselves need to be the change we want to see in the society, and this is the sentiment I want to echo through my association with Special Olympics. Be it globally or at the state or national level, I would like to extend all my support possible to bring this change." Dev, who led India to a World Cup victory in 1983, was named Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002.
 |
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (center), new brand ambassador for Special Olympics Bharat, looks forward to "reaching individuals with special needs and abilities and putting forward their perspective to the world." Special Olympics Bharat athlete Joginder Bendi (left) and Special Olympics Asia Pacific Managing Director Troy Greisen joined Rathore at the event on 17 November. (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Bharat) |
"These athletes are truly special in every way," said celebrated Olympian Rathore. "Their zeal, dedication and their enthusiasm for life is astounding. Fighting all odds, they have indeed marked a place for themselves in society and actually I am of the view that there is so much we can learn from them. By coming together with Special Olympics, I feel this is indeed a great opportunity for me to reach individuals with special needs and abilities and put forward their perspective to the world, " Rathore added. Rathore, a major in the Indian Army, won the silver medal in men's double-trap shooting event at the 28th Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, garnering India's first individual Olympic silver medal.
Elaborating on the occasion, Troy Greisen, Managing Director, Special Olympics Asia Pacific, said, "It's truly heartening for us to receive such genuine support from two of the most talented sportsmen in India, who have won accolades for their country nationally and internationally. Both Kapil and Rajyavardhan personify the spirit of Special Olympics and share our vision of impacting communities by transforming people and encouraging them to accept and include these athletes, thereby paving the path for their acceptance into mainstream society." There are estimated 31 million people with intellectual disabilities in India.
At the event, Special Olympics Bharat also announced its National Games, to be held from 28 November to 2 December 2005 at New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Smt. Shiela Dixit, Chief Minster of Delhi, will be the guest of honor at the Games Opening Ceremonies. A total of 1,200 participants from 24 states across India will come together to compete in more than 17 sports. More than 500 volunteers will extend their support to the event.
For more information, visit http://www.specialolympicsbharat.org/. |
