AFZAL JAVED

ISLAMABAD: The grand ceremony in honor of the Special Olympics Pakistan contingent participating in the Special Olympics World Games, Berlin, 2023 was held at the German Consulate General Karachi.

The Special Olympics World Games will be played from June 17 to 25 in Berlin where more than seven thousand special players and officials will participate in different sports competitions.

Chief Secretary Sindh Dr. Sohail Rajput, German Consul Generals Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, Special Olympics Pakistan Chairperson Ronak Lakhani, famous artist Sarwat Gilani, brand ambassador of Special Olympics Pakistan Yasmin Haider, diplomats and other dignitaries were participated in the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, the host Consul General of German Consulate in Karachi Rüdiger Lotz said that Germany will host the Special Olympics World Games for the first time, it will be grand and memorable. The Consul General also hoped that participating players from Pakistan will perform well and bring medals in the mega sports event.

The Chief Secretary Sindh Dr. Sohail Rajput said that despite mental or physical problems, special players are not less than anyone in ability and talent, they need to be given confidence and courage and the Sindh government has its responsibility and will continue to support these special athletes to help them win laurels for the country.

He said that Sindh Govt. is trying to pay attention to these special athletes and leaving no stone unturned to support them

Special Olympics Pakistan Chairperson Ronak Lakhani said that special people are an important segment of society, the purpose of participating in the Games is to prove that the special children of Pakistan are no less than any other in the world.

”They will win hearts and the nation should encourage these special children”, she said, adding that the Sindh government gave their full support and cooperation in making participation in the games possible. Special Olympics Pakistan is thankful to Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah for providing full support and help to Special Olympics Pakistan, Ronak added.

Pakistan’s 138-member squad which will participate in as many as 11 sports of the Olympic Games, will leave for Germany on June 12. The 87 players include 54 boys and 33 girls, while coaches comprising 17 men and 13 women will take part in the mega event.