A 10-member Odisha squad, featuring athletes, partners and coaches, left Bhubaneswar today to participate in the National Preparatory Camp for the Special Olympics World Summer Games Berlin 2023. The National camp is set to be held at Amity University, Noida from 25 to 29 April 2023.

The squad is comprised of four athletes _ Baishnab Rajpalia (futsal), Sachin Barik and Aridita Chakrabarty (both athletics), Kalpana Jena (cycling); three partners _ Jyoti Ranjan Ojha, Mamali Nag and Shibani Priyadarshini (all unified volleyball; two coaches _ Jhasketan Sahu (futsal), Sasmita Routray (basketball) and one support staff _ Chinmayee Behera.

Odisha team members will participate in respective sports disciplines and vie for final selection for the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which is scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany from 17 to 25 June 2023.

Special Olympics Bharat-Odisha Area Director Prakash K Rath, President Kasturi Mohapatra, State Program Coordinator Arpita Mohapatra and KIIT University Sports Director General Dr Gaganendu Dash conveyed their wishes to the members of the squad.

Odisha squad has representation from Ashra, Balangir; Red Cross School for the Disabled, Saintala; BVMMMRT, Athagarh; Open Learning Systems, Bhubaneswar; CBID, Nimapada; KIIT University, Bhubaneswar and IRCS Sahaya, Cuttack.
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PHOTO: Members of the Odisha squad pose at Bhubaneswar airport on April 24 before leaving for the Special Olympics National Preparatory Camp.