Rohtak, Haryana: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini praised athletes participating in the Special Olympics, saying they send a powerful message that with the right opportunity, training, and confidence, every individual can achieve remarkable success.
The Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was speaking at the inaugural function of the Special Olympics Bharat Athletics National Championship held on Tuesday at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak. The event hosts over 500 athletes along with their coaches and support staff from 26 states.
Nayab Singh Saini announced that a dedicated stadium for persons with disabilities (PwDs) athletes will be constructed in Haryana, featuring residential facilities for the athletes. He also sanctioned a grant of Rs. 31 lakh to Special Olympics Bharat, while Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam added an additional Rs. 21 lakh.
आज रोहतक में आयोजित ‘स्पेशल ओलंपिक भारत एथलेटिक्स नेशनल चैंपियनशिप’ में शामिल हुआ। इस प्रतिष्ठित प्रतियोगिता में देश के 26 राज्यों से लगभग 500 से अधिक खिलाड़ी, कोच और सहयोगी भाग ले रहे हैं, जो खेलों के माध्यम से समावेशिता, सशक्तिकरण और सामाजिक समानता का प्रेरक उदाहरण प्रस्तुत… pic.twitter.com/cY9IMFUEcg
— Nayab Saini (@NayabSainiBJP) February 3, 2026
During the event, the Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini also laid the foundation stone for a Girls’ Sports Hostel at the Abhilasha Girls’ Hostel complex of MDU, Rohtak. The new hostel, with a capacity of 150 students, will be a ground-plus-three-floor building covering 2,374 square meters, and is estimated to cost around Rs. 5 crore.
Nayab Singh Saini : Special Olympics Showcases Human Potential and Athlete Empowerment
Addressing the gathering, Saini highlighted that the true essence of Special Olympics lies in seeing sports not just as a competition for medals but as a celebration of human potential. The athletes demonstrate that limitations are often in the mindset, not the body. Alongside the national championship, the state is organizing health and medical camps, youth activation programmes, and athlete leadership training, focusing on both physical fitness and mental empowerment.
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The Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini further clarified the distinction between the Paralympics and Special Olympics: while Paralympics cater to athletes with physical disabilities, Special Olympics is a global movement for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, emphasizing training, participation, confidence-building, and lifelong development.
Nayab Singh Saini noted that Special Olympics Bharat, recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, exemplifies India’s commitment to inclusive sports policies. Highlighting India’s achievements, Saini mentioned the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy, where a 49-member Indian contingent won 33 medals, showcasing stories of discipline, perseverance, and self-belief.