Post Graduate Research Programme

Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organization and Management of Olympic Events

Department of Sport Organisation and Management
Faculty of Human Movement and Quality of Life Sciences
University of Peloponnese
&
International Olympic Academy
Athens,
Greece

Sports for Disabled

People in India
Olympic Pedagogy II
Neeraj Kumar Mehra

July 2011
1

Sports for Disabled People in India

Contents

I.

II.

Introduction

What is Disability

III.

Disability sport

IV.

The Role of Sport for People with Disabilities

V.

Organizations promoting Sports for Disable in India

VI.

Conclusion

VII.

References

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Sports for Disabled People in India

Introduction
Today, the idea of people with a disability being able to participate in sport and physical
activity is not so uncommon. In many developed countries, opportunities exist from the
grassroots to elite levels for people with a disability to showcase their abilities in sport and
physical activity. But this is not the case in all parts of the world. Whilst there has been
progressive and positive change in quality of life for people with disabilities and their interest in
participation in sport which is not only in many developed countries but in developing countries
like India also.
Studying it therefore, will help us to better understand and appreciate the contribution of
various earlier as well as latest policies and organizations for the promotion of disable sports in
India.

What is Disability?
Anyone may experience disability at some point in his/her lifetime. Disability is a normal
part of the human experience, and people with disabilities are part of all sectors of the
community: men, women, and children; indigenous and non-indigenous; employers and
employees;

students

and

teachers;

consumers

and

citizens i

The World Health Organization estimates that about 650 million (about 10 per cent of the world
population) around the world are differently abled people and of this it estimates, 80 per cent live
in developing countries.ii
There are numerous definitions of disability and the debate surrounding appropriate
definitions of disability have evolved over time. The World Health Organisation states that
disability (resulting from impairment) is a restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in
the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being.

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In Declaration on the Rights of the Disabled Persons on December 9, 1975, United
Nations Assembly defined disabled person as any person unable to ensure by himself, wholly or
partially, the necessities of a normal individual and/or social life, as a result of deficiency, either
congenital or not, in his or her physical or mental capabilities. Which further defines persons
with disabilities (PWD) as persons who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory
impairments, which, in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective
participation in society on an equal basis with others? Statistics on disability are difficult to
compare internationally and also disability statistics do not always include the same definitions,
types or categories of disability. The length of time a person is deemed disabled affects the way
the statistical data is measured and interpreted.iii According to the Census 2001, there is 28% in
Movement, 49% Seeing 6% Hearing, 7%, Speech and 10% Mental Disability in India who
constitute 2.13 per cent of the total population. Seventy five per cent of persons with disabilities
live in rural areas, 49 per cent of disabled population is literate and only 34 per cent are
employed.iv

Disability Sport
Disability sport is a term that refers to sport designed for, or specifically practiced, by
people with disabilities. People with disabilities are also referred to as athletes with disabilities.
Deaf sport is distinguished from other groups of people with disabilities and in some countries
deaf people prefer not to label deafness as a disability. The rules of deaf sport are not altered,
only instead of whistles and start guns, athletes and officials communicate through signs, flags
and lights. In many developing countries deafness is still considered a disability.v
Sports for person with disabilities are necessarily sports organised specifically for persons
with disabilities, and hinge on the basis of providing equitable and fair categories, based on
ability and disability, in order to provide level playing fields. Similar to women participating or
competing with other women in womens sport, people with disabilities, participate or compete
with other people with similar abilities and disabilities. Since the 1970s, the concept of organised
multi-sport and multi-disability games became popular and a number of regional games for
people with a disability also emerged. These include games such as the Parapan American
Games and the Far East and South Pacific Games. Whilst there is limited historical and statistical
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evidence of the participation of people with a disability in developing countries, in the three
largest international competitions Deaflympics, Paralympic Games and Special Olympics
World Games - participation by developing countries has seen the greatest improvement since
1990.vi

The Role of Sport for People with Disabilities

Sport can play a key role in the lives and communities of people with disabilities, the
same as it can for people without a disability. There is a wealth of evidence to support
participation in sport and physical activity for people with a disability concerning trends, barriers
and benefits of participation. Over the past three decades, numerous studies have revealed that
sport participation result in improved functional status and quality of life among people with
selected disabilities. Scientific research has been conducted across disability groups that reveal
participation in sport leads to improved levels of physical health and well-being. It has also been
shown to improve physical fitness and general mood in psychiatric patients with depressive and
anxiety disorders. Additionally, it has been linked to improvements in self-confidence, social
awareness and self-esteem and can contribute to empowerment of people with disabilities.viiSport
can have a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities but many face challenges to
getting involved in sport. There is also explained in Article 30, Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities about participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport With a
view to enabling persons with disabilities to participate on an equal basis with others in
recreational, leisure and sporting activities, States Parties shall take appropriate measures. It is
further mentioned that to encourage and promote the participation, and to create opportunity, to
organize and develop participate in disability-specific sporting and recreational activities, It is
needed to have appropriate instruction, training and resources with equal access to tourism
venues and sporting activities as compared to other children for participation in play, recreation
and leisure.viii
In article 30 of International Disability Alliance Guidance Document May, 2010 regarding
Participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport clearly states about Access to culture,
recreation, leisure and sport are also important areas to be taken into account for the full
participation in society of persons with disabilities and create following questions:
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Does public funding provided to cultural, leisure/touristic and sporting facilities and
organizations require compliance with accessibility standards?

Do general accessibility plans include the elimination of barriers in culture, recreation,

leisure and sport?

Is the State providing support to disability-specific initiatives in the area of sports and
culture?

Is the State promoting and supporting deaf culture?ix

In India, state policy (particularly in the form of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995,and
the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2006) is supportive of the need for individuals
with disabilities to participate in sport, recreational and leisure activities, and includes provisions
designed to both encourage development of special recreation centers and ensure accessibility to
all public places. According to Article 16. Right of Children with Disabilities to Leisure, Culture
and Sports that all children with disabilities have a right to play and participate in sports,
recreation and cultural activities on an equal basis with other children; And appropriate
governments and establishments shall provide for disability and age appropriate opportunities for
children with disabilities to participate in sports and have access to playgrounds along with other
children ensuring that children with disabilities have access to cultural materials in an accessible
format and access to cultural activities, performance and services along with other children.
Right to Support and Accessibility, Article 43.further mentioned that every child has a right to
access all school buildings, sports recreation and library facilities on an equal basis with others
and it shall be the duty of appropriate governments and establishments to render the
aforementioned facilities accessible to children with disabilities. x Right to Participation in Sports,
Games and Athletics, Article 74, explains that Central Government shall establish a National
Body for Disability Sports to promote the sports of persons with disabilities which enforce all
National and State Sports bodies to accord due recognition to the right of all persons with
disabilities to participate in sports and shall make due provision for the inclusion of persons with
disabilities in all their schemes and programs for the promotion and development of sporting
talent. Adequate funding should be given to enhance potential, talent, capacity and ability
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of the disabled and development of state of art sport facilities for training, different courses
new programmes, redesigning Infrastructure facilities and technology should be develop with
multisensory essentials and features in all sporting activities for inclusion and participation
of persons with disabilities Participants in international and national sporting events for
persons with disabilities shall be allocated resources, sponsorships, awards and jobs.
According to the statement of the committee appointed by the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, to draft the new legislation presented the final draft of the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities Bill, 2011 to the minister. "The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 was proposed to
be replaced by a new legislation in the light of the experience gained in the implementation of
the Act, developments that have taken place in the disability sector over the years, and also the
commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD),"
the statement said. Estimating the number of people with disabilities worldwide at 1 billion, or
15 percent of the worlds population, the report from the WHO and World Bank confirms that
disability is a major issue on a global scale. The causes of disability are evolving, mainly due to
longer life expectancy, a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses, and also an increase in armed
violence and natural disasters.

Organizations promoting Sports for Disable in India

1. National Paralympics Committee of India
The Paralympic movement is more than just facts and figures .Over 3000 years ago sport was
used as instrument to attain physical, mental and spiritual achievement.Today,Paralympic
movement has high goals that encompasses the development of sports at all levels for people
with a disability ,the full involvement of women and girls with a disability and of athletes with a
severe disability, the promotion of clean sport and the education of athletes about doping, and
educational programmes at all levels to change perceptions about the abilities of people with a
disabilities.
Paralympics Committee of India is a registered association which has changes its name from
Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India to Paralympics Committee of India in 2003.
It is registered with Foreign Contribution (Regulations) Act, 1976 ,section 80 G of the Income
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Sports for Disabled People in India

Tax Act and also under section 10 (23C) (iv) of the IT Act to get Income tax rebate for the
donations made to PCI .xi
A. PCI and FESPIC Games
FESPIC Games were conducted by FESPIC Games Federation and considered as Asian
Games for Para Sports where all the Asian Countries and the countries of South Pacific region
were allowed to participate till 2006, International Paralympic Committee which is an apex body
for Paralympic sports decided in 2000 that all the IPC affiliated members became automatic
members of Fespic Games Federations and only such members were made authority to send
teams to the future games. PCI had a good team of 63 athletes in different sport and got 3 Gold, 9
Silver and 10 Bronze Medals in Athletics at the 8 th Fespic Games which were held in Busan,
Korea in 2002 .These games which were the first ever big medal haul in a recognized
international event for India. 9th FESPIC Games were held at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia in
November 2006 where a special meeting of Fespic Federation and Asian Paralympic Committee
was held and Asian Paralympic Committee took the responsibility of hosting Asian Games for
Para sports and the Fespic Games Federation was formally dissolved.
B. Other Achievements and Performance

Handicapped sports are also included in prestigious ARJUNA AWARDS since 1995.

There are championships as Disabled cricket, blind cricket which are conducted every
year.

There were more than 150 players from 14 countries participated in APC Badminton Cup
which was held in December 2008

In IWAS World Games more than 680 athletes from 43 countries took part and India
stood 2nd in Medal Tally with a total of 110 medals which was hosted in the year 2009 at
Bangalore.

Gold Medal with the World Record at the 2004 Athens Paralympics Games. .xii

2. Special Olympics Bharat

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Sports for Disabled People in India

Special Olympics Bharat is a National sports Federation, recognized by the Ministry of
Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of India. The federation trains both male and female
athletes in 25 summer and winter disciplines. The federation has 850000 athletes registered
through 35 state chapters. The team representing India at 2011 Special Olympics World Summer
Games brought back 243 (78 Gold, 73 Silver and 92 Bronze) medals for the country. The Roller
Skating team got 31Gold, 12 Silver and 15 Bronze. whereas in Athletics (6 Gold, 10 Silver, 14
Bronze), Badminton (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze), Basketball (Boys 10 Silver, Girls 10 Bronze),
Bocce (4 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze), Cycling (7 Gold, 6 Silver, 11Bronze), Football (5th Place),
Handball (Boys 12 Gold, Girls 12 Silver), Power Lifting(3 Gold, 5 Silver, 6 Bronze), Table
Tennis (4 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze), and Volleyball (Bronze for Boys and Girls).
a. Other Special Events

Special Olympics Bharat was given responsibility for the conduct of these inclusive
sports programs in, two major inclusive schemes, one for the Disabled and other PYKKA
which were activated in 2010.

Specialist Trainers from the UK conducted two Trains the Trainer courses specifically for
inclusive games for disabled through International Inspiration Program of the British
Council. They trained 60 Master Tutors in two courses held in Goa and New Delhi. These
Master Tutors conducted the training of the first 60 Master Tutors who trained the first
600 top Trainees in the LNUPE University to conduct inclusive sports for all children
with all disabilities.

b. Special Awards / Recognition

Mr. Satish Pillai was honoured for his contribution to the promotion of sports in the
country with the Dhyan Chand Life time award by the President of India .He is President
of Jharkhand State Chapter in Special Olympics Bharat and a staunch supporter of the
SOB Program. He received the award from the President at a National Sports Day
ceremony held at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on 26 August 2010.

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Sports for Disabled People in India

The De Rozio Award for excellence in Human Enrichment and Education, in the Special
Educators Category was awarded to Ms.Lina Bardhan, Area Director SO Bharat West
Bengal who has served the Special Olympics Program for more then 20 years

Rehabilitation Council of India has recognised training done by Special Olympic Bharat
which is an organisation recognised by Government of India for approval of education
method for the special educators. All the educators undergoing training will be accredited
with 30 CRE points to fulfil the requirement of 100 points over period of 2 years for
renewal of their education certificate for the training conducted by Special Olympic
Bharat at LakshmiBai National University of Physical Education, Sports Authority of
India and Community Coaches camps,

National Trust felicitates 20 Special Olympians from different states who represented
India at the 2007 Special Olympics Summer Games were awarded with a plaque, shawl
and rs.25000/ at the functions held in their respective states.

Special Athletes participated in the Queens Baton Torch run in several States during the
Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010.

3. INDIAN BLIND SPORTS ASSOCIATION

The Association has always played a prominent role in promoting sports among the visually
handicapped. It was the initiative of BRA that Indian Blind Sports Association was formed in
1986 as the national level body for the promotion of athletics and different sports for the blind.
Indian Blind Sports Association is recognized by the Indian Olympic Association and is affiliated
with the International Blind Sports Federation, the apex world blind sports organization, and
with Paralympic Committee of India. BRA also hosts jointly with Indian Blind Sports
Association, national-level Sports Meets for the Blind once every two years. The Sports Meet is
the largest sports event for the visually impaired in the country which attracts hundreds of sports

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Sports for Disabled People in India

persons from institutions across the country from different states who compete in athletics, chess
and swimming.xiii

Conclusions
However, the situation on the ground remains mixed. Persons with physical disabilities are
unable to enjoy leisure activities on an equal basis with others as long as transportation systems
and public buildings continue to lack barrier-free access, a problem which has not been
addressed on a consistent basis by the Government. However, organizations and establishments
like the Wheelchair Sports Federation of India, the Indian Blind Sports Association, and the
Special Olympics Bharat do provide opportunities for physically and mentally differently-abled
athletes to participate in sporting activities. Unfortunately, there remains no institution available
to coach elite differently-abled athletes in India, leaving a gap in attainment of the goals outlined
in State policy. In order for persons with disabilities to be able to participate in leisure activities
at the level described in government policies, stricter enforcement of these laws is needed. Under
the Constitution of India, there are certain fundamental rights that can be enforced in courts of
law. These fundamental rights include the right to equality (Article 14) and the right to live in
dignity (Article 21). Disabled citizens have the same rights as other citizens and should be given
the opportunities to participate effectively in society.

Proposals

Increase support and funding to conduct empirical studies on topics of disability sport
and adapted physical activity including, participation levels, attitudes, legislation, barriers
and benefits of sport and physical activity.

Develop further studies of mental health and psychological well-being as an outcome of

sport participation for people with a disability.

Affordable technologies, and increasing accessibility and universal designs in both the
environment and the structures/rules of sports.

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Sports for Disabled People in India

Produce inclusive coaching manuals and educational material in multiple languages and
formats to make it accessible to developing countries

Research and develop monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure quality sport
programmes are being implemented effectively and meeting target outcomes.

Create opportunities to share knowledge, experiences and best practice.

Utilise new technologies and online communication to enhance collaboration between

development organisations, researchers and programme staff.

References

Neeraj Kumar MehraPage 12

ihttp://www.sportanddev.org/learnmore/sport_and_disability2/background___sport___disab
ility/definitions_and_terminology/
ii http://nsingit.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/differently-abled-and-their-social-integration/
iiihttp://www.sportanddev.org/learnmore/sport_and_disability2/background___sport___disa
bility/definitions_and_terminology/
iv http://www.disabilityindia.org/nationalpolicyfordisable.cfm
vhttp://www.sportanddev.org/learnmore/sport_and_disability2/background___sport___disa
bility/definitions_and_terminology/
vihttp://assets.sportanddev.org/downloads/090611_sport_and_disability_profile_for_print.p
df
viihttp://www.sportanddev.org/learnmore/sport_and_disability2/sport_and_adapted_physic
al_activity__apa_/the_role_of_sport_and_adapted_physical_activity_for_people_with_disabil
ities_/
viii http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/disabilities-convention.htm
ix http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/

x http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/disabilities-convention.htm
xi http://www.paralympicindia.org.in/downloads/pci-brief-writeup.pdf

xii
http://www.paralympicindia.org/images/ASIAD%20FOR%20PARA%20SPORTS.pdf
http://www.blindreliefdelhi.org/

Others
CPWD. (1998). Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier Free Bulit Environment for Disabled and
Elderly Persons. Central Public Works Department. India: Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment.
Department of Sports, M. o. (2011). Applications invited from Schools/Special Schools/Institutions run
by Govt./NGOs/Trusts etc having disabled students on their rolls for grant for engagement of coaches
on contract basis and purchase of consumable and non-consumable sports equipment under. Delhi:
Government of India.

LAUFF, J. (2007). DEVELOPING COUNTRY PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY

SPORT COMPETITION:A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE. The Catholic University of Leuven, The
University of Limerick, The Palacky University and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences,
Norwegian School of Sport Science, Oslo. Oslo: ERASMUS MUNDUS.
Muhammad Badar, M. A. (June 2011). Assessing the Role and Importance of Co-curricular Activities
in Special People (Deaf) Learning at Elementary Level. International Journal of Business and Social
Science , Vol. 2 ( 11).
Sports, M. o. (2009-10). SCHEME OF SPORTS AND GAMES FOR THE DISABLED. India: Ministry
of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Sruti Mohapatra, M. M. Abuse and Activity Limitation : A Study on Domestic Violence Against
Disabled Women in Orissa, India. Oxfam (India) Trust.

Websites

xiiihttp://ayjnihh.nic.in/ http://www.artlimbs.com
http://www.censusindia.net/results/disabled_main.html
http://www.socialjustice.nic.in
http://www.nhfdc.org
http://www.nimhindia.org
http://www.nationaltrust.org.in
http://www.ccdisabilities.nic.in
www.rehabcouncil.nic.in
http://nsingit.wordpress.com/2011/07/15/differently-abled-and-their-social-integration/
https://nsingit.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/no-of-people-with-disabilities-worldwide-at-1-billion-or-15per-cent-of-the-worlds-population/
http://uncrpd.nileshsingit.org/international-documents-on-disa
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/disabilities-convention.htm