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Dignitaries and well-wishers gather at the opening of the Special Olympics Bharat office at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which also houses the Sports Authority of India.
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J.P. Singh, IAS, Director General, Sports Authority of India, inaugurated the national office of Special Olympics Bharat (India) on 16 April 2004. He praised the efforts of the Program in providing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to experience sports. Impressed by the service provided by Special Olympics, Singh informed Air Marshal Keelor, Chairman of Special Olympics Bharat, and all those present that he would like to be involved in the movement.
Present at the inuaguration were senior staff members of Special Olympics, Inc., including Chief Administrative Officer Dr. John Dow, Chief Legal Officer Drake Turrentine, Troy Greisen, Vice President, Regional Growth, and Bob Hawkins,Senior Vice President of Program Grants. Also present were Trustees of Special Olympics Bharat, Principals and students of leading schools in Delhi and many other well wishers of the movement.
The inuaguration began with a prayer song by students of Laxman Public School. Special Olympics Global Messenger Tamana Chona thanked the movement for the opportunity to represent Special Olympics and congratulated Special Olympics Bharat. Air Marshal Keelor emphasized the importance of Special Olympics Bharat having its national office in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which houses the Sports Authority of India. He thanked the Director General Singh for his sensitivity in allotting the office space. Air Marshal Keelor added that this would bring unprecedented benefits for the thousands of athlete with intellectual disabilities across India.
Dr Usha Ram, Trustee of Special Olympics Bharat, also thanked Singh for his efforts and personal interest in ensuring office space for Special Olympics Bharat. "It is needless to mention that Special Olympics Bharat has been treated at par with other sports federations and the office allottment is on similiar conditions," said Ram. "Special Olympics Bharat now looks forward to a bright future as it is now part of the highest sports fraternity of India."
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