Special Olympics Bharat (SO Bharat), a National Sports Federation accredited by Special Olympics Inc. USA, has elected Dr Mallika Nadda as the new President. Chitra Shah and Pawan Kumar Patodia were elected as the Vice Presidents & Dr DG Chaudhari, the General Secretary and Upasna Arora, treasurer of SO Bharat along with three Special Athletes who have earned accolades at the Special Olympics World Games are part of new Executive Committee. The triennial (once in three years) elections were held at the Annual General Meeting held on September 26, 2023, in New Delhi.
The Electoral College included the elected members of the state committees who underwent a similar process in their respective states. Each state which had conducted elections recommended two delegates to form the Electoral College. The returning officer, Mr Jayant K Sud, Senior Advocate, ensured that the progression was in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Sports code, while also ensuring its timely communication to the relevant stakeholders.
Special Olympics is a global inclusion movement using sport, health, education, and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Bharat is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India as a National Sports Federation for the development of Sports for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
Speaking after her election Dr Mallika Nadda said: “We are one team that must join hands to support, strengthen and expand the movement in India for the inclusion of persons with Intellectual Disabilities. The Athletes, who are the centre of the movement, must be able to experience a tangible transformation in their daily lives and our union must deliver them into a productive and accessible future”
