Transforming into the power & joy of sports
Footballer, Athlete from Delhi
Kaka, 17 yrs, wearing Jersey number 5, played a good defense at the Special Olympics South Asia 7-a-Side Unified Football Competition Dhaka 2024. Although the final result of the competition held the Indian male football unified team in the fifth position, the experience was bound to leave an impact on Kaka, victory or defeat
Few weeks preceding the tournament, Kaka’s life had been very different, involving football, practices and discussions around building a strong team for playing the tournament etc. He was surrounded with cheer, excitement, determination and anxiety.
Kaka is a person with Intellectual/Developmental disabilities. He may have cried for hours, left in isolation in circumstances that were overwhelmingly challenging, as a child. The world known to him consisted of his father, who too would struggle, to the extent of changing his religion for financial support, to be able to bring up his child. Kaka’s mother resides in a care-facility, owing to her mental illness, while Kaka’s sister, who too has an intellectual disability is in another home. His father is a street-vendor, selling mobile covers to make ends meet.
Manovikas School of Inclusion located at Radhey Puri, East Delhi embraced Kaka, re-routing his journey about nine years back. When Kaka was taken to the institute by the authorities, he appeared stunned, silent and unkempt. The Manolaya Home a residential facility run by Manovikas welcomed him, providing him a safe haven while also getting him the essential identification documents. Manovikas has been associated with SO Bharat – Delhi Chapter since the inception of the movement , which is in 2001. The sports program is part of their rehabilitation services. Kaka gained access to all of them. His father would come, although infrequently, but his grandmother (paternal) would give regular calls to the institute to find out about her dear grandson. The Manovikas family is his home. While Covid drove all other residents away, he stayed on and was cared for.
Kaka has played football and has participated in Athletics and Bocce as well. He has played at state level several times. The Unified Cup Football tournament got postponed once, causing disappointment to him, but once the prep for the final event gathered momentum, he enjoyed every process including logistics like having his passport made!
According to Ms Indira Alok, Principal, Manovikas School for Inclusion, when Kaka had arrived in the institute , while looking severely challenged, he also exhibited a physique that showed a sports- potential. He was immediately made to join the Special Olympics sports program. Ms Indira feels, “Sports is a medium to develop and to bring about a change. It is not recreational. For Kaka, it has opened a career avenue based on his potential and most importantly, interest”. She appreciates the proactive role played by Mr Vikram Singh Rawat, Area Director, SO Bharat- Delhi and by Mr Sachin, Coach, in supporting Kaka’s journey through sports.
Since his return from the Dhaka Tournament Kaka, sports have become very central to his daily activities. He plays football every day looking after his fitness as well. He considers himself to be a sports Champion and feels proud. He shares his experiences with his friends. He dons the T shirt once every day, encouraging his co-residents to care for their fitness and play sports. He sure does express his disappointment on not winning but that too is an experience that he shares discussing the possible ‘mistakes’ which may have led to it. His scrap book now includes his photo with a football where he calls himself a superstar!
