Indian Skaters Under Mangalorean Coach Mahesh Kumar Win 49 Medals at World Special Olympics
Mangaluru: Skating Coach from Mangaluru, Mahesh Kumar ( the Joint Secretary for the Karnataka Roller Skating Association) has brought name and fame to his hometown-Kudla, since the Indian Skaters coached and led by him being the Indian Skating Team Coach have won 49 medals in World Special Olympics Games Meet. The Indian Skating team won a total of 49 medals (13 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze) in the Skating Competition which was a part of Special Olympics World Games held in Abu Dhabi from 14th to 21st March 2019. The Special Olympics Bharat Skating team comprised of 26 members (13 boys and 13 girls).
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangaluru Press Club, Mahesh Kumar said, “The selection process for the World Games started in the year 2017. The selected team had to undergo training in four camps at Haryana, Rajastan, Hyderabad and Delhi at Talkatora Stadium . The Special Olympics held at Abu Dhabi witnessed more than 7000 Athletes from 190 Countries. After the Nationals,1st Preparatory Camp of Indian Contingent for the Worlds Games was held at Scottish International School, Gurugram, Haryana March 2018.”
“The 2nd Preparatory Camp was held at Bits Pilani and Birla Public School, Rajasthan June 2018. National Coaching Camp was held at Indira Park International Roller Skating Rink, Hyderabad, Telangana August 2018. Train the Trainer workshop held at The Frank Anthony Public School, New Delhi from 22nd and 23rd November 2018. And the Final Camp was held at The Frank Anthony Public School, JN Stadium and Talkatora Stadium Delhi from 1st March to 7th March 2019.
While the Special Olympics celebrated its 50th Year Celebrations, this year the total athletes from Karnataka were 16, and 7 Coaches in different Sports who represented India for this World Games 2019. There were 5 Athletes and 1 Coach from Dakshina Kannada District” added Mahesh. The President of Mangalore Roller Skating Club Praveen Kumar, and Pramod Ariga- the executive member of the Club were present during the press meet.
Mangaluru’s Mahesh Kumar has served as the Referee for the Roller Skating Federation of India for 22 years. He is the Technical Official, Ice Skating Association Of India, and also the Joint Secretary for the Karnataka Roller Skating Association. He has represented India for the Worlds Games 2003, Dublin. Also Trained the Roller Skating Team for the Worlds Games 2011,held at Greece. Being a National Awardee, he was therefore selected to Represent India as a Roller Skating Coach for the Special Olympics World Games 2019 which was held at Abhu Dhabi from 14th to 21st March 2019.
About 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games:
The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games is a multi-sport event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the tradition of the Special Olympics movement. It was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from March 14–21, 2019.
There were three finalists chosen from the countries who had submitted bids to host the games: Australia, Germany, and South Africa. However, all three countries had withdrawn their bids by April 2015. In November 2016 it was announced that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi would host the 2019 summer games. This was be the first time that the Special Olympics was held in the Middle East / North Africa Region. Due to the region’s climate, the games were held during the local late winter/early spring-between March 14-21, 2019.
The opening ceremony took place on March 14, 2019 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium. And the closing ceremony took place on 21 March 2019 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium where the Special Olympics flag was handed over from Abu Dhabi to Jämtland County, Sweden as the hosts of the 2021 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
