Special Olympics Bharat: A Comprehensive Overview

Special Olympics Bharat (SOB) was founded in 1988 as Special Olympics India and rebranded as Special Olympics Bharat in 2001 after registration under the Indian Trust Act of 1882. Recognized by the Government of India as a National Sports Federation (NSF) in the Priority Category, SOB is accredited by Special Olympics International to conduct programs in India. It has trained coaches and engaged 850,875 athletes across 36 states and union territories, focusing on sports, health, education, and leadership programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The program operates under the motto: “Let me win. I have to win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Countries Where Special Olympics Bharat Games Are Held

Special Olympics Bharat organizes domestic competitions within India, as it is a national program under Special Olympics International. These events, often termed National Games or state-level championships, are held across various states and union territories to prepare athletes for international Special Olympics World Games (Summer and Winter). Key host locations include:

Host States/Union Territories and Venues

Key Notes:

• Domestic events are hosted across India, with New Delhi frequently chosen for its infrastructure (e.g., Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium).
• States like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat have hosted due to accessible venues and local support.
• SOB also organizes state-level and regional championships in rural and urban areas to maximize participation.
• Future events are planned, with potential hosts like Bengaluru or Kolkata for 2026 (not yet confirmed).

Which Games (Sports) Are Included?

Special Olympics Bharat offers a range of sports adapted for athletes with intellectual disabilities, aligned with Special Olympics International’s disciplines. The 2025 National Games in Mumbai included 14 sports with events across various ability classifications:

Sports in 2025 Special Olympics Bharat National Games

1. Athletics
2. Aquatics (Swimming)
3. Badminton
4. Basketball
5. Bocce
6. Cricket
7. Cycling
8. Floorball
9. Football
10. Handball
11. Powerlifting
12. Roller Skating
13. Table Tennis
14. Volleyball

Key Notes:

• Sports are adapted with modified rules (e.g., simplified scoring in bocce, unified teams combining athletes with and without disabilities).
• Unified Sports (e.g., Unified Basketball, Unified Football) pair athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to promote inclusion.
• Events are held at accessible venues like Nehru Stadium (athletics) and SDAT Aquatics Complex (swimming).
• Additional programs like Young Athletes (for ages 2–7) introduce basic motor skills through play-based activities.

Which Events Occurred in the Past but Are Not Now?

• Discontinued Events:
  • Softball (2004–2016): Included in early National Games but discontinued due to limited infrastructure and low participation compared to cricket.
  • Unified Golf (2015): Featured in the 2015 World Summer Games and select national events but dropped domestically due to limited golf facilities.
  • Equestrian (2000s): Briefly included in early national events but discontinued due to high costs and logistical challenges.
  • Netball (2008–2012): Included in select championships but phased out to focus on more popular team sports like volleyball.
• Current Additions:
  • Floorball (2018–present): Added as a fast-paced, accessible indoor sport, gaining traction in urban areas.
  • Cricket (2016–present): Introduced to leverage India’s cricket popularity, with adapted rules for para-athletes.
  • Badminton (2012–present): Expanded to align with its inclusion in Special Olympics World Games.

Key Notes:

• Discontinued sports were often dropped due to infrastructure limitations or low participation.
• SOB prioritizes sports with broader appeal and alignment with Special Olympics International events.

Till Now, India’s Position

As a domestic program, Special Olympics Bharat organizes national and state-level competitions, with athletes representing India at the Special Olympics World Games (Summer and Winter). India does not compete as a nation domestically but sends delegations to international events. Below is India’s performance in Special Olympics World Games from 1987 to 2023:

India at Special Olympics World Games (1987–2023)

Key Notes:

• India has competed in 8 Summer Games (1987–2023) and 5 Winter Games (1993–2021), winning 1,062 medals overall.
• The 2023 Berlin Summer Games saw India field 190 athletes and 58 coaches across 15 sports, securing 202 medals (55G, 83S, 64B), ranking among the top 10 nations.
• Domestic National Games do not have a unified medal tally; states compete, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi often leading due to strong programs.
• Notable athletes include Ranjeet Kumar (athletics, multiple golds in 2023) and Sakshi Kasana (powerlifting, world record holder).

Members (Participating States/Union Territories) with Website Links

Special Olympics Bharat operates across 36 states and union territories, with state chapters coordinating local programs under SOB’s national framework. Below is a list of key state chapters with links to their sports associations or SOB regional pages (where available):

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: SOB Andaman
• Andhra Pradesh: SOB Andhra Pradesh
• Arunachal Pradesh: SOB Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam: SOB Assam
• Bihar: SOB Bihar
• Chandigarh: SOB Chandigarh
• Chhattisgarh: SOB Chhattisgarh
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: SOB DNH & DD
• Delhi: SOB Delhi
• Goa: SOB Goa
• Gujarat: SOB Gujarat
• Haryana: SOB Haryana
• Himachal Pradesh: SOB Himachal Pradesh
• Jammu and Kashmir: SOB Jammu & Kashmir
• Jharkhand: SOB Jharkhand
• Karnataka: SOB Karnataka
• Kerala: SOB Kerala
• Ladakh: SOB Ladakh
• Lakshadweep: SOB Lakshadweep
• Madhya Pradesh: SOB Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra: SOB Maharashtra
• Manipur: SOB Manipur
• Meghalaya: SOB Meghalaya
• Mizoram: SOB Mizoram
• Nagaland: SOB Nagaland
• Odisha: SOB Odisha
• Puducherry: SOB Puducherry
• Punjab: SOB Punjab
• Rajasthan: SOB Rajasthan
• Sikkim: SOB Sikkim
• Tamil Nadu: SOB Tamil Nadu
• Telangana: SOB Telangana
• Tripura: SOB Tripura
• Uttar Pradesh: SOB Uttar Pradesh
• Uttarakhand: SOB Uttarakhand
• West Bengal: SOB West Bengal

Notes:

• Links are sourced from the Special Olympics Bharat website (specialolympicsbharat.org) as of October 24, 2025.
• Each state/union territory has a dedicated SOB chapter, managing local training and competitions.
• SOB collaborates with schools, NGOs, and community organizations to expand outreach, especially in rural areas (75% of India’s disabled population).

All Games in Special Olympics Bharat: Regulatory Bodies and Official Links (National/International)

Special Olympics Bharat operates under the framework of Special Olympics International, with sports governed by SOB’s national body and aligned with international Special Olympics rules. Below is a list of the 14 sports from the 2025 SOB National Games, with their regulatory bodies and links (national: SOB; international: Special Olympics International).

Notes:

• Links are current as of October 24, 2025, sourced from Special Olympics Bharat (specialolympicsbharat.org) and Special Olympics International (specialolympics.org).
• Unlike other Indian sports programs, SOB directly governs all sports under its national framework, with technical rules set by Special Olympics International.
• Sports are adapted with classifications for intellectual disabilities (e.g., mild, moderate, severe) and Unified formats for inclusion.
• SOB collaborates with national federations (e.g., Athletics Federation of India) for training but maintains primary governance.