Sports for the disabled (shikha srivastava)

Sports play a key role in youth empowerment. Sports have proven to be a catalyst in development and self sustenance for people with disability inculcating a spirit of positivity and worthiness in them. Research
conducted across disability groups revealed that playing sports lead to improved levels of physical health and well being. Also, it has been linked with improved self confidence, social awareness and self
esteem and can contribute to the empowerment of the specially abled.
In India the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities states that "The contribution of sports for its therapeutic and community spirit is undeniable. Persons with disabilities have right to access sports,
recreation and cultural facilities. The Government will take necessary steps to provide them opportunity for participation in various sports, recreation and cultural activities" (Source: svayam.com)

The onus of rehabilitating the specially abled lies not only with the Government alone. In this regard the Government recognizes the reach and active participation by NGOs in India who are working for the
upliftment of the specially abled.

Stairs4ability, an initiative of Stairs, an NGO working towards empowerment of underprivileged youth through sports, is committed to uplift and empower the specially abled through sports. With this
mission, the NGO established a one of its kind cricket academy in Kushinagar, UP. The academy provides all the training and infrastructure for the specially abled children and youth of the area

to come and play cricket. Stairs aims to bridge the gap between the differently abled and other children by providing them equal opportunities to showcase their talent as well as enhance their skills.

There are many NGOs and government schemes which promote sports amongst the specially abled community particularly the children and the youth. On a national level the Government has schemes like
National Paralympics Committee of India, Special Olympics Bharat and the Indian Blind Sports Association. Under these schemes there are recognizitions and special events conducted to boost sports amongst the specially abled community. Handicapped sports are also included in prestigious ARJUNA AWARDS since 1995. There are championships as Disabled cricket, blind cricket which are conducted annually.

On the international arena committees like the International Paralympics Committee for the Disabled and the International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability. Other than that several countries and organizations include athletes with disabilities in the able-bodied sport system like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. The World Blind Cricket Council also organizes international
matches amongst the visually challenged.

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