Sports-based empowerment for children with disabilities is a commendable effort that is gaining traction in India. The purpose of this program is to give kids with disabilities the chance to engage in outdoor and sports-related activities, which can aid in the development of their social, emotional, and physical skills. Roughly 78 lakh individuals between the ages of 0 and 19 have a disability of some kind, according to the 2011 Census.
Merely 61% of this populace has regular access to education and learning opportunities (Taylor & Francis Online). So, for many of them, engaging in sports and feeling the thrill that goes along with it is an unattainable goal.
Initiatives for Children with Disabilities in India
The Indian government has started a number of programs to encourage children with disabilities to participate in sports. The Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled is one such program. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched the Central Sector Scheme during the XI Plan Period in 2009–2010. The program aims to increase the participation of disabled people in sports on a large scale. The following are the elements of the plan:
Funding for schools to purchase non-consumable and consumable sporting goods and to hire coaches for sports
Funding for Coach Training
Funding to host competitions for the disabled at the district, state, and national levels.
For a period of five years, the program will be implemented on a trial basis in both regular inclusive schools and special schools serving children with disabilities. The program will benefit 250 impaired people in each state and territory, ideally across five schools. The schools recommended by the Apex Committee and approved by the Ministry will be eligible for the grants for the payment of stipends to the sports coaches and the purchase of consumable and non-consumable sports equipment for the next five years.
Umoya Sports: A Game Changer
Aditya KV created Umoya Sports in 2017 as one such project. The NGO interacts with schools teaching children with disabilities and conducts the program to train them in various sports like basketball, football, cricket, badminton, athletics, and yoga . Over 1,250 children from eight different schools have had their lives impacted by the group in the previous three years. Through playing sports without boundaries and taking pleasure in them like any other child, the NGO hopes to help children with disabilities develop their physical, emotional, and social talents.
Challenges Faced by Children with Disabilities in India
There are various obstacles that children with impairments must overcome in order to participate in sports. The absence of amenities and infrastructure is one of the main problems. The majority of schools lack the facilities required to serve students with impairments. They find it challenging to engage in outdoor and athletic activities as a result. People’s lack of understanding and sensitivity is another problem. Children with impairments do not always have the same chances or experiences as other children. They are frequently the targets of discrimination. Their confidence and sense of worth may suffer as a result.
Conclusion
To sum up, the great concept of empowering children with disabilities through sports has the potential to significantly impact the lives of numerous children with disabilities in India. Umoya Sports is one such group that is making excellent progress in this area. The NGO is assisting in closing the gap and promoting inclusivity by offering sports programs specifically designed for students with physical and intellectual challenges. It’s a positive step that the Indian government has also started a number of programs to encourage sports among kids with impairments. There’s still a long way to go, though.
It is past time that we acknowledge the value of sports in the lives of kids with disabilities and take action to guarantee that these kids have access to facilities and infrastructure for sports. In order to ensure that children with disabilities have the same opportunities as other children, we must endeavor to create a more inclusive society.
