Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that India has taken a bold and well-deserved step by officially bidding to host the 2036 Olympics. He said the nation’s ambitious vision and stance reflect India’s readiness to take centre stage in global affairs, including in the realm of sports. Addressing the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Bocce and Bowling Competition in New Delhi today, Mr Dhankhar said, Sports is a language beyond dialect and lexicon. He said, sport is a universal language and it breaks all barriers. The Vice President said all limitations defined by humanity are overcome by sports as they uniquely power the human mind. He said sports involving specially abled children, youth and the elderly ignite a new light of hope. Mr Dhankhar said history is a testament that disability has not tamed the human spirit as it is beyond taming. He said, the human spirit will surface itself come what may notwithstanding the enormity or extremity of challenges. The Vice President said Bharat is a nation that hand-holds to generate hope and ensure that everyone has a meaningful life. He said, in Divyangjan, the Indian civilisation sees divinity, sublimity and spirituality.

In his address, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is committed to creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities to shine.