#PRIYO CHITROSATHI NEWS💐
Kolkata: The city is gearing up to host an inspiring celebration of grit and inclusion as Special
Olympics Bharat, West Bengal organises the National Football Championship at the SAI Complex,
Salt Lake, from November 18 to 20, 2025.
The tournament will bring together over 300 athletes, coaches, and officials from more than 20
states across India. Competitions will be held in Senior, Junior, and Sub-Junior categories. The
Senior men’s and women’s teams will play in a 5a side unified format comprising three athletes
and two partners while the Junior and Sub-Junior divisions will follow the traditional Special
Olympics format.
Serving as a key qualifier for the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2027 in Latin America,
the Championship will spotlight both sporting excellence and social inclusion on a national stage.
Special Olympics Bharat, recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of
India, and accredited by Special Olympics Inc., has been dedicated to empowering persons with
intellectual disabilities through structured sports and development programs. With initiatives
active in 33 states, the West Bengal chapter stands among the most dynamic and long-standing in
the country.
Speaking about the event, CA Pawan Kumar Patodia, President, Special Olympics Bharat, West
Bengal and Vice President, Special Olympics Bharat (National Office), said:
> “This Championship is a powerful reflection of how sport can transform lives. Every athlete
participating here represents courage, resilience, and determination. Kolkata has always embraced
inclusive causes, and we are proud to host this event that unites athletes from across India in the
true spirit of sportsmanship.”
West Bengal has maintained a strong record of achievement at both national and international
levels. At the World Summer Games 2023, its athletes earned 9 Gold, 4 Silver, and 1 Bronze medal,
while in 2025, three players from the state Sourav Roy, Pushpal Kar, and Biki Duley were part of
the Indian team that lifted the Gothia Cup in Sweden for the second consecutive year.
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