To make a difference in the lives of people with special needs through sports, Special Olympic Bhutan is training the coaches for special athletes.
On the first day of the training Bocce balls, an Italian game, was introduced for the people with special needs. Bocce as a Special Olympics game provides people with special needs the opportunity to have social contact, develop physically and gain self-confidence.
“Those who are not severely disabled can play other games. But for others who are with more serious problems. They can’t play any kind of games. So am hoping, Bocce will be of great help for these individuals,” said Kinga Wangmo, the Coach of Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Special Children and Youth.
Bikash Subba from Dratsho VCT said: “I saw and heard about the game before. But I didn’t know it is know it is called Bocce balls. If our coaches train us I think we can learn how to play the game.”
The coaches from different institutions will be trained in Special Olympics games such as unified football and Bocce balls. Today, there aren’t enough trained coaches for children with special needs in the country.
“Special Olympics Bharat would like to help the neighbouring country. In sharing our experiences and to develop special Olympics program here. We came last year and we are here again to see that our program is kept going. And more athletes and coaches can be trained,” said Victor R. Vaz, the National Sports Director of Special Olympics Bharat.
In 2011, a year after Special Olympics Bhutan was formed; four athletes from Draktsho participated in the Special Olympics Games in Athens, Greece. Since then Special Olympics Bhutan had been training people with special needs for the games.
“When our coaches benefit it is actually our children and youth with disabilities who will also be benefited. When we have trained coaches, we will have increased number of coaches in our programmes,” said Deki Zam, the National Sports Director, Special Olympics Bhutan. “Feedback got from the first training was most of the participants requested to have similar kind of training.”
Special Olympics Bhutan is organising the seminar in collaboration with Special Olympics Bharat. Over 25 people including coaches, parents, and children with special needs are participating in the three-day seminar.
