Imphal, November 14 2008: In the first of its kind in the whole of North Eastern region, MEDfest, a free medical health camp for intellectually disabled persons was conducted in collaboration with the 3rd Manipur Special Olympic State Games for the game of BOCCE Tournament at the Kangshang complex of Indoor Stadium, Khuman Lampak Sports complex here today.

Under the theme of 'Making them healthier and fitter' by encouraging them to come out and socialise, the event was organised by Special Olympics Bharat, Manipur Chapter.

During the day-long medical camp, a medical team comprising five clinical psychologists and eight nurses examined over 210 mentally and physically challenged persons coming from different parts of the State including Churachandpur, Motbung and the valley districts to assess their intelligent quotient (IQ) and medical history for participation in BOCCE competition.

Talking to The Sangai Express on the sideline of the medical camp, president of Special Olympics and head of department of Clinical Psychology of RIMS Dr M Akshaykumar said that there is the need to extend moral support and co-operation to the physically and mentally challenged persons in the society so as to make then physically fit and strong.

Explaining the Special Olympics, Dr Akshaykumar said that it is an International movement dedicated to empowering people with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of the society through sports training and athletic competition.

Dr Akshaykumar said that out of the 2 million goal set by 2005, the movement has involved 1.2 million athletes so far along with organising more than 200 Special Olympics programmes in 150 countries, 26 Olympics-type Summer and Winter sports and more that 20,000 competitions around the world each year.

He further explained that Special Olympics mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to give them continued opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage, enhanced sharing skills and friendship with their families with a vision to transform communities by inspiring people all over the world to open their minds, accept and include people with intellectual disabilities, thereby celebrating the similarities common to all.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver is the founder of the Special Olympics movement and Timothy P Shriver is the chairman as well as the president and CEO of Special Olympics, he added.

In the BOCCE Tournament conducted in conjunction with the Med Fest both for the categories of senior boys and girls, in all 9 teams representing special schools/ DDRC/ institutes of SSA, etc participated.

The winners were awarded with gold, silver and bronze medals.

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