Greetings from Madras West Round Table 10..!!
Twenty years back, the erstwhile tablers of Madras West Round Table 10 initiated the “Inter-Orphan Sports Meet” programme – a sports meet with a difference.
IOSM – in short – like the name suggests, was a unique event that became very dear to the enthusiastic tablers of the MWRT10 family.
For those, who are unaware of this programme, this was initially a sports meet that encouraged the participation of underprivileged children in competitive track & field events, followed by lunch. It became even more special, when over the years, children with special needs -including the blind- were also encouraged to take part.
In the year 2013, IOSM took a giant leap. Madras West Round Table 10 in partnership with “Special Olympics Asia Pacific” & “Special Olympics Bharat” upgraded this programme to its present format. “UNIFIED SPECIAL OLYMPICS” [USO], as it is called now encourages children with special needs to take part in various track & field events. Apart from the physically/ mentally challenged, the participants also include children suffering from Down Syndrome.
2016 was a landmark year for this programme, when we saw the participation cross the 1000 mark..!! USO 2016 had a total of 1200 children participating from Chennai & various other surrounding districts. A total audience of 1600, including teachers, support staff & volunteers witnessed this special event. Hence, the journey of ‘IOSM’ that started twenty years back, with around 150 children participating, continues as the ‘USO’ and now boasts of the participation of over 1200 special children.
This has been special not just to the MWRT10 family, but also to the parents of all those wonderful children who participate, the teachers, the Volunteers, and last but certainly not the least, Round Table India, which has graciously recognized our efforts.
The beautiful start 20 years back, and the exciting journey of this highly successful programme till now, has not only given immense pride to the MWRT10 family, but also the determination & resolve to carry this wonderful legacy forward, year after year.
Link to watch video:
In 2017, first time we are conducting the event in the Indoor Stadium with target of 1200 chidlren and new format games like basket ball, bocce & Throw ball
Special Mentions :
• Felicitation of Mr.Mariyappan Thangavelu – Gold medalist mens high jump @ Paralympian, RIO 2016
• Felicitation of Mr. Abhishek Swaminathan & Mr. Kariappa Kumar bronze medialist @ World Power Lifting Championships 2016, @Orlando, USA
• Honorable Minister for Education & Sports Minister – Tamil Nadu
• Honorable Minister for Commercial Tax – Tamil Nadu
• Actor Santhanam celebrating his birthday with special children
• Ms. Mukta – National Director Special Olympics
• Air Marshall – Keelor CEO- Special Olympics
• Mr. Joe Sebastian – Commissioner Income Tax
