At Sri Arunodayam, we’ve witnessed sports transforming children’s lives. They become physically stronger and they discover what they’re truly capable of, leading to happier and more inclusive lives. Plus, all that discipline, dedication, and resilience they learn on the field? It helps them focus better in the classroom too!

• Physical Health: Let’s consider the physical side of things. Sports are fantastic for their health! They get a great cardio workout, build strength and endurance, and improve their coordination and balance. Plus, it helps them maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of obesity-related problems, and boosts their overall motor skills. Basically, it’s a win-win for their physical well-being.^[1]

• Mental and Emotional Well-being: Sports does wonders for children’s mental and emotional well-being too. It builds their self-esteem and confidence, helps them manage stress, anxiety, and even depression, and puts them in a better mood overall. Plus, the feeling of accomplishment and belonging they get from being part of a team is huge for their psychological health. It’s a real boost all around. ^[2]

• Social Development: Sports are also amazing for their social lives. It gives them a chance to connect with other children, make friends, learn to work together as a team, and feel more included. This helps them overcome isolation and boosts their communication and social skills, which is so important for their overall development. It’s all about building connections and belonging! ^[3]

• Cognitive Benefits: And guess what? Sports are good for their brains too! It can help children with ID improve their attention and focus, boost their memory and cognitive function, and even develop problem-solving and decision-making skills. It’s like a workout for their minds, contributing to their overall cognitive growth. ^[4]

• Overall Development: So, when you put it all together, sports really contribute to the whole child. They become more independent and self-reliant, which is huge. And because of that, their quality of life improves, and they’re more likely to get involved in their community. It’s all about enriching their lives and helping them feel like a valued part of society. ^[5]

Sports are amazing for children with ID, but it’s not always a walk in the park. There are a few things we need to be aware of.

• Injury-prone: They might be a little more prone to injuries, simply because of physical limitations or coordination challenges. That just means we need to be extra vigilant with supervision and adapt activities to their individual needs.

• Accessibility: This is indeed a hurdle in our country. We might need to push for more accessible facilities, programs, specialized gear, and coaches who really understand how to work with these children.

• Social issues: Sadly, we can’t ignore the social side of things. Stigma and bullying can be a real issue, so it’s vital to create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.

• Financial commitment: Let’s not forget about the financial aspect – equipment, transportation, program fees, coach fees, and maybe even personal requirements can add up.

• Time commitment: Sports requires a time commitment. Regular training and practice mean we need to think about scheduling and make sure it’s manageable for everyone involved.

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has a “Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled” that gives grants to schools so they can buy sports equipment and hire coaches for children with disabilities.

• Special Olympics Bharat is another great resource. They’re about giving people with intellectual disabilities a chance to play sports, and they might have their own scholarships or know where to find them.

• The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) champions Para sports across the country. They find, train, and support athletes, building a thriving Paralympic movement, and making sure India shines at national and international competitions.

• Your state government’s website. Many states offer scholarships for students with disabilities, so look at the education, sports, or social welfare department pages.

• The National Scholarship Portal is a government website where you can search for scholarships, and you can even filter by disability.

• The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has scholarships for students with disabilities, some of which could be used for sports. Their website has information on things like the “Scheme of Scholarships for Students with Disabilities” and the “National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities.

Just like every lion in the Pride Lands is different, every child with ID is unique too! Their abilities, what they enjoy, and the specifics of their disability all play a part in what sports will work best for them.

Having a strong pride – parents, caregivers, and professionals all working together – is essential for a positive experience for the child.

Choosing the right “watering hole” – the right sport and program – is also key. You want something safe, fun, and that helps them truly thrive.

And finally, aim for inclusion. Creating a “watering hole” where everyone can play together, regardless of abilities, is vital for social integration and acceptance.

Sports can be life-changing for children with ID. There are definitely challenges to consider, but the benefits totally outweigh any challenges. By focusing on the child’s needs, providing support, and creating truly inclusive spaces, we can help these children experience all the amazing things sports offer – and that strengthens our society in the process.

[1] World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior. Their guidelines on physical activity for health include recommendations for people with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise for overall health and well-being.

Investigation of the effects of physical education activities on motor skills and quality of life in children with intellectual disability – Zekiye Özkan and Rasim Kale. Author information PMCID: PMC10281414 PMID: 37346264.

[2] Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities: a meta-analysis using the RE-AIM framework by Wen Yang, Xiao Liang, Cindy Hui-Ping Sit. Author information PMCID: PMC9261031 PMID: 35799257

[3] Promoting friendship development in inclusive early childhood classrooms: A literature review by Margaret Krone, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Seonyeong Yu, University of Massachusetts Amherst. December 2019 International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education

[4] Move Your Body, Boost Your Brain: The Positive Impact of Physical Activity on Cognition across All Age Groups by Felice Festa, Silvia Medori and Monica Macrì ORCID Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy.

[5] Physical Activity and Quality of Life among People with Intellectual Disabilities: The Role of Gender and the Practice Characteristics by Evelia Franco, Carmen Ocete, Elena Pérez-Calzado, and Ana Berástegui. MDPI Behavioral Sciences 2023.

[6] The information presented is based on what we found on the websites of departments like The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Special Olympics Bharat, The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), The National Scholarship and The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). Things can change, so please check the official sites for the most current information.