For the first time, India is hosting the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition from 19-22 November 2024 at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi. The event is open to athletes from the Asia-Pacific with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is the first time a competitive bowling event has been held in India.

Eighty-one athletes from 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region are participating in the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition

Who inaugurated the Special Olympics?

The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, on 19 November 2024.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Mallika Nadda, Chairperson of Special Olympics Bharat, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Who has organised the Special Olympics?

The Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce & Bowling Competition is organised by Special Olympics Bharat and supported by the Jindal Steel Company.

What are Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities?

Intellectual disability refers to a person having an Intellectual Quotient (IQ) of 70.It means that the person has a below-average intellectual capability. The person also has a problem in doing his or her daily work and faces problems in adapting to the social environment.
Developmental ability refers to a person who has problems with general learning and adaptive skills like independent living, self-care, self-direction, and recreational activity.

Special Bharat Olympics

Special Olympics Bharat was registered as a Trust in 2001 under the provisions of the Indian Trust Act 1882. The government of India has recognised the Special Bharat Olympics as a National Sports Federation for the development of Sports for athletes with Intellectual Disabilities,

Special Olympics International has also recognised the Special Olympics Bharat and authorized it to conduct Special Olympics Programs in India.

Chairperson : Mallika Nadda,

Headquarters: New Delhi