Riya, a Special Olympics athlete from Bharat, says she used to be alone and lonely. Now she’s part of a talented team that’s heading to the World Winter Games in Turin, Italy—and her life is full of confidence, camaraderie and hope.
Due to her disabilities, Riya was often ignored by her schoolteachers and faced bullying from fellow students. Children in her community avoided playing with her. She says no one wanted to interact with her—except for her immediate family and, especially, her mother, who has been a great support. These experiences left her feeling disconnected from society and she had very few opportunities to express herself or develop any talents.
After Joining Special Olympics Bharat
Riya’s life transformed when she joined Special Olympics Bharat through the Ganpati Educational Society, an NGO working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. This marked the beginning of her involvement in sports, which played a crucial role in her rehabilitation and growth.
Through consistent participation in district, state and national-level competitions, Riya developed important life skills. Special Olympics Bharat provided her with the opportunity to explore her potential, gain confidence and be a part of a community that accepted and encouraged her. Her daily routine now includes regular physical exercise, which keeps her fit, disciplined and focused. More importantly, she has earned recognition and respect within her community as an accomplished athlete.
Riya has consistently performed excellently in district, state, and national-level competitions. She has gained skills in athletics, floorball and bocce. But her most memorable moment was being selected for Special Olympics Bharat’s national floorball team, a proud achievement that validated her hard work and dedication. She and her floorball teammates are very excited to compete with other teams from around the globe at the World Winter Games in Turin!
