PANAJI
The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) has written to the Sports Authority of Goa to expedite the appointment of coaches for children with special needs, in a bid to ensure these talents participate in sporting activities.
The Commission cited a recent case wherein the District Early Intervention Centre at Hospicio Hospital, Margao urged them to appoint coaches for children with special needs at government swimming pools and the indoor stadium.
PwD Commissioner Guruprasad Pawaskar stated that this correspondence was directed to the Executive Director of the Sports Authority of Goa to which the Director of Coaching at the Sports Authority of Goa expressed the unavailability of such coaches.
Consequently, a hearing was convened on December 28, 2023, where the matter was extensively discussed and unanimously resolved to appoint coaches specifically for children with special needs, aligning with the mandates of Section 30 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
“Ensuring inclusive sports participation is not just a matter of rights, but of dignity and well-being. By providing equal opportunities for children with special needs to engage in sports, we are fostering a more inclusive society where every individual can thrive,” Pawaskar said.
Section 30 of the RPWD Act emphasizes the importance of ensuring effective participation in sporting activities for persons with disabilities. It outlines measures for restructuring courses, redesigning infrastructure, developing technology, and allocating funds to facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in sporting events.
“In accordance with the RPWD Act and recognizing sports as a fundamental right for persons with disabilities, we issued an order recommending the SAG to expedite the appointment of coaches for children with special needs. This directive aims to prevent any inconvenience to the children and uphold their right to participate in sports activities,” the Commissioner said.
