Asha Kiran , a home for abandoned, supported by the Delhi Social Welfare Department, has been associated with SO Bharat since 2004. The approx. 900 residents with Intellectual Disabilities have been engaged with SO Bharat in Sports and Health, including about 40 of them having been trained as Health Messengers.
The year 2015 was a turning point in the institute, as for the first time 9 residents were selected to represent SO Bharat at a global mega-event, the SO World Summer Games 2015 held in LA USA. These residents got passports, something that was done in the institute for the first time. They represented SO Bharat in Powerlifting, athletics, Volleyball, Softball and Handball and won 9 medals. Since then seventeen athletes from Asha Kiran have participated in the Special Olympics World Games held in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Four are preparing to participate in the Berlin Games 2023 in Basketball, football, powerlifting & Volleyball. As the number of residents participating in one sport or the other becomes a constant, the diversity of sports offered to them is expanding too. Ms Seema from the institute has been trained as Coach and has been mentoring the athletes for several years. As observed by Ms Neelam, the Superintendent, the residents who have participated in sports show a high level of confidence. They stay motivated and positive and also tend to spread this to the others. The World Games experience is unmatched, according to the authorities. “From a life of isolation and rejection to the victory stand increases a sense of self-worth and brings immense joy seeing so many persons applauding. We feel proud of the Athletes from Asha Kiran”, says Ms Neelam.
Ms Neelam expressed that their behaviour is modified as they get exposed to huge crowds at the World games, with people from diverse backgrounds. Mr Vikram Singh, Area Director SO Bharat Delhi recalls how their consistent counselling led to the institute having applied for passports for their residents in 2015. This opened doors for them to represent SO Bharat on a global platform, although they had participated in sports at the local, State and National levels, for many years prior. Besides Sports, the Asha Kiran home has a regular Special Olympics Health program running. The multiple sessions and trainings alerted the residents to keeping themselves healthy, hygienic and fit, making a few like Kalyani ,Health Messengers.
Asha Kiran is one of the 11 districts of the Delhi Chapter and is under consideration to be activated as one of the SO Bharat Sports Centres in the city. In June 2022 a camp for preparing the Delhi’s probables for the Berlin Games 2023, was held in Basketball, Table Tennis and Volleyball. As the years go by, along with impacting lives of the participating residents, sports is gradually impacting the environment within the institute hoping to bring positivity and cheer.
