Special Olympics is not just about sports, it’s a movement of confidence and leadership: CM Nayab Saini

Rohtak, February 3, 2026: Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini said that athletes participating in the ‘Special Olympics’ are sending a strong message by overcoming challenges that if given opportunity, proper training and confidence, every individual can achieve extraordinary success.

The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural function of the Special Olympics Bharat Athletics National Championship held on Tuesday at MDU, Rohtak. More than 500 athletes, along with their coaches and support staff from 26 states, are participating in this championship.

During the programme, the Chief Minister said that following the vision of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi of the “Accessible India” initiative, a special stadium will be constructed in Haryana for persons with disabilities (PwDs) athletes. The stadium will also include residential facilities for the athletes. The Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs. 31 lakh to Special Olympics Bharat, while Minister of State for Sports, Gaurav Gautam announced an additional grant of Rs. 21 lakh.

Addressing the gathering, CM Nayab Singh Saini said that the true essence of the Special Olympics lies in viewing sports not merely as a competition for medals, but as a reflection of the power and potential of the human spirit. The athletes running, jumping and competing on the field teach us that limitations exist not in the body, but in the mindset. Along with the national championship, initiatives such as health and medical camps, youth activation programmes and athlete leadership training are also being organised. These efforts aim not only at physical fitness but also at mental empowerment and leadership development. This is true inclusion, where athletes emerge not just as medal winners but as active citizens, role models and sources of inspiration for society.

The Chief Minister further said that often Paralympics and Special Olympics are considered the same, whereas both are different but equally important. Paralympics are organised for athletes with physical disabilities, while Special Olympics is a global movement for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It focuses not only on competition but also on training, participation, confidence building and lifelong development. He said that Special Olympics Bharat is recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and stands as a strong example of the country’s inclusive sports policy. In the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Italy, a 49-member Indian contingent participated, and 28 athletes won 33 medals, making the entire country proud.These medals reflect stories of discipline, struggle and self-belief, he added.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana is a powerhouse of sports and has produced numerous Olympians and world champions. He specially mentioned Special Olympics athlete Keshav from Haryana and praised his achievements.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the country is moving rapidly towards a developed and inclusive India. Events like the Special Olympics remind us that true development is measured by how empowered the weakest section of society feels. The Haryana Government remains committed to empowerment of persons with disabilities (PwD), development of sports and inclusive policies.

The Chief Minister said that over the last 11 years, Rs. 989 crore has been spent on developing sports infrastructure in the state. The sports budget has been increased from Rs. 275 crore in 2014-15 to Rs. 602.18 crore in the current financial year.

He said that Olympic, Paralympic and other international medal winners are being awarded cash prizes of up to Rs. 6 crore. A Sports University has been established in Rai, Sonipat. At present, the state has 3 state-level sports complexes, 21 district-level sports stadiums, 25 sub-divisional stadiums, 163 Rajiv Gandhi Rural Sports Complexes, 245 rural stadiums and 382 indoor gyms in villages. Besides this, 10 swimming pools, 11 synthetic athletic tracks, 14 hockey astroturf grounds, 2 synthetic football grounds and 9 multipurpose halls have been developed. Sports facilitation centres have also been established in 16 districts at a cost of Rs. 3 crore.

The Chief Minister said that sports equipment is being provided under the Haryana Sports Equipment Scheme, benefiting over 15,634 athletes. At present, 1,472 sports nurseries are operational, where more than 37,000 children receive regular training. Financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 per month is given to athletes aged 8–14 years and Rs. 2,000 per month to those aged 15–19 years.

To ensure a secure future for athletes, the Haryana Outstanding Sportsperson Service Rules-2021 have been implemented, under which 550 new posts have been created and 231 athletes have been provided government jobs. A rehabilitation centre for players has also been started at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Panchkula.

Minister of State for Sports, Gaurav Gautam said that sports facilities for PwD athletes are being developed at Daulatabad in Gurugram. Along with this, a model sports centre for North India will also be established in the state. He said that this championship is a celebration of inclusive India and human values, which will boost the confidence of special athletes and help them become self-reliant and part of the mainstream. Under the Prime Minister’s leadership, the Union Budget has increased sports allocation by 33 percent, he added.

 The Minister of State for Sports said that athletes from the state have brought glory to both the state and the nation by winning nearly one-third of the medals at the national and international levels. The state government provides cash incentives of Rs. 6 crore for gold medalists, Rs. 4 crore for silver medalists, and Rs. 2.5 crore for bronze medalists in the Olympic Games. The government has also made provisions for reservation in government jobs from Group A to Group D categories to ensure a secure and bright future for sportspersons. Besides this, three Centres of Excellence for sports have been established at the local Maharshi Dayanand University.

President, Special Olympics Bharat, Dr. Mallika Nadda, said that Haryana is playing a leading role in the field of sports, with its athletes bringing glory to the state and the nation at national and international levels. She said that the increase in the sports budget reflects the Prime Minister’s sensitivity towards PwD athletes.

She said that the main objective of these games is to integrate special athletes into the mainstream so that they can make meaningful contributions to a developed India. The slogan of the championship, “Kranti, Khelon Se Hai”, highlights the power of sports in bringing positive change.

BJP National Secretary and former Minister Omparkash Dhankhar, BJP State President Mohan Lal Kaushik, former Minister Manish Grover, BJP State Treasurer Ajay Bansal, MDU VC Prof. Rajbir Singh, DLCSUPVA VC Dr. Amit Arya, CRSU Jind VC Prof. Rampal Saini and other dignitaries were also present during the programme.