Patna, May 20: These children are special not because they are different but because they have defied all odds to symbolise the triumph of the human spirit.

Five mentally challenged children from Bihar will participate in the Special Olympics World Summer Games, Athens 2011, from June 25 to July 4 under the banner of Bihar Disabled Sports Academy.

The five kids — Suprabhat Kumar (cycling), Mohammed Shahnawaz Alam (volleyball), Neha Kumari (basketball), Neha Kumari Gupta (basketball) and Radha Kumari (volleyball) — will be accompanied by two coaches, one observer and one official at the games.

The announcement of the names of the children who are going to participate in the Olympics was made at the 12th annual general meeting of Bihar Disabled Sports Academy at Scada Business Centre today. The academy also announced the names of the office bearers who will hold their posts for 2011-12.

The academy announced the calendar for next year in which it will hold a series of events and programmes. According to the calendar, on May 23, the academy will hold a state-level disabled swimming competition at Chandragupt Jalvihar, Rajendra Nagar. Similarly, from May 25 to June 1, Special Olympics national badminton coaching camp will be held at Nawada.

Shivaji Kumar, the secretary of the academy, said: “The year-long events have been designed in such a way that mentally and physically challenged children living in the state can take part in them. Apart from Patna and Nawada, the events will also be held at Hajipur, Bhagalpur and Madhubani. On August 13 and 14, the district-level sports meet will be held at Bhagalpur. The Bihar state-level cycling meet will be held at Madhubani.”

Shivaji also said that there are more than 26 lakh mentally challenged children in Bihar, who despite having the talent do not get a platform to showcase it. While many states have special schemes and programmes for emancipation of such students, Bihar lacks such schemes. The dearth of schemes, programmes and proper guidance from the government impedes such children from coming on a par with other children.

Dr Subhash Chandra, the president of the academy, said: “Deprived of proper guidance and government assistance, the mentally and physically challenged children live in a miserable condition as society views such people differently. But these children, many a times, with determination and willpower become a source of inspiration for others.”

Chandra added they have 36 centres in the state, apart from providing assistance to such children, also counsel parents so that the children can lead a successful life without depending on others.