A Unified Football female team of six athletes with the intellectual disability and five mainstream athletes from India were given a rousing send-off on Wednesday (11 July) from Taj Palace, New Delhi. The team was presented with the games kit and mementoes by Herbalife Nutrition which is the exclusive sponsor for the Special Olympics Bharat athletes.

Speaking on the occasion, five times World Champion, boxer MC Mary Kom, who was also present at the event, said, “Special Olympics Unified Sports is a great initiative and it is amazing that the women from our country will be representing our nation at the Unified Cup 2018. Wishing the entire team all the very best for the games.”

Star Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal said, “The athletes representing our country from the Special Olympics Bharat team are extremely special and have undergone immense training to reach this platform. It takes a lot of courage and endurance to do what this team does. I am very delighted to be associated with Herbalife Nutrition who takes such great initiatives to elevate such talent. All the best to the entire team for the game.”

Having undergone rigorous training since March 2018, the team is geared up to face global competition at the Unified Cup in Chicago (SOUFC 2018). The participants and coaches arrived from the states of Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala and Rajasthan to depart for the big event where they will represent India. Here’s the team:

The preparation and participation of the Indian contingent from Special Olympics Bharat is being supported exclusively by Herbalife Nutrition, the premier global nutrition company. Herbalife Nutrition has partnered with Special Olympics Bharat to train and develop athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Talking to media, Ajay Khanna, Vice President and Country Head, Herbalife Nutrition India, said, “The Special Olympics Unified Cup could not be more exciting, and we are happy to partner with the Indian contingent to bring the sporting glory to our country. We have been associated with Special Olympic Bharat over the years and are proud of the talented athletes they nurture. The aim is to support our athletes who represent our country in the global arena and make the entire nation proud.”

Air Marshal (Retd) Denzil Keelor PVSM, KC, AVSM, VrC, Founder & CEO, SO Bharat said, “This is a glorious year for Special Olympics as it marks 50 years of the global inclusive movement. I would like to wish my best to all the participating athletes and unified partners. It gives me immense pleasure to be able to prepare a Unified Football female team to face global competition at this phenomenal platform manifesting football as a medium for accelerating Inclusion. Joining us in our endeavours is Herbalife Nutrition, our long-time partners’ and exclusive supporters of our participation in this event”

The Unified Cup Chicago (SOUFC 2018), will be held from 17-20 July 2018. The Unified Football Cup is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics. 24 teams (16 male and 8 female) will be participating from Bharat (India), Brazil, Canada, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Japan (Nippon), Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates, United States and Uruguay. While the male teams will be playing the 11-a-side competitions, the Unified female teams will clash in 7-a-side matches. Special Olympics Bharat is sending a Unified Football female team to the competition.