Karachi:The Special Olympics are a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy for individuals who in Pakistan live lives of neglect and isolation, hidden away or socially excluded from full participation in schools and society.
Engineer ZA Nizami, chancellor, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), said this on Sunday while addressing the reception ceremony held by the Social Students Forum for Pakistani athletes, coaches and officials who recently took part in the Special OlympicsñWorld Summer Games, Athens, 2011, and bagged a total of 58 medals.
World Summer Games with a cause offered them an opportunity to participate in sports while promoting acceptance for all and fostering understanding and respect worldwide, he said.
The Special Olympics provided people with intellectual disabilities opportunities to realise their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy and friendship by joining in sports activities, he added.
Appreciating the amazing success of special children in the World Summer Games, the SSUET chancellor said it was for the first time that the Pakistani athletes had truly taken centre stage and been recognised as individuals.
Nizami said the Special Olympics were undoubtedly beaming a message to the world that no physical or mental barrier could restrain the power of human spirit. If provided with proper support and training, people with disabilities could enhance their individual abilities, he added.
Nizami sought cooperation in establishing an engineering university for special children in Pakistan. He also announced the start of free computer classes soon for special children at the SSUET.
Mirza Akhtiar Baig, adviser to the prime minister on textiles, remarked that special children of Pakistan created a soft image of the country across the world through their participation in the Special Olympics. The credit also went to the noble group of dedicated people who made it possible, he said.
The Pakistani special children bagged 17 gold medals, 27 silver medals and 14 bronze medals in the games.
In the end, the Social Students Forum presented medals to the winners of the Special Olympics, coaches and officials in appreciation of their remarkable efforts and outstanding performance.
Later, Mirza Akhtiar Baig presented shields to Engr Nizami and Mirza Iqbal Baig for conducting the ceremony.The news.
No comments:
Post a Comment