From rxpgnews.com

India Sports
Skiing camp at Narkanda for the handicapped
Feb 23, 2007 - 3:40:15 PM

Shimla, Feb 23 - Mentally and physically challenged ski enthusiasts have begun skiing on the spectacular snow-covered slopes of a resort in Himachal Pradesh, Friday.

'Some 90 skiers have gathered from Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the country to take part in the week-long training course called 'Special Olympics Bharat' in Narkanda, 64 km from Shimla,' said Sudeep Rawat, an official of Bharti Airtel, the chief organisers of the event.

'At the end of this training programme some of them will be selected for the International Winter Special Olympics at Nagano in Japan in 2009,' said Rawat.

There was high excitement among the participants as they glided through the snow-covered slopes. A speech impaired teenager signalled with the help of sign language that he was delighted to be here and was confident of going to the special winter Olympics.

The Sports Authority of India - had backed out of the event at the last moment and decided not to fund the games saying it was too early to prepare.

'Such an event is being organised for the first time in the state,' said Mallika Nadda, chairperson Special Olympics Bharat.



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