The Special Olympics Jharkhand (SOJ) on Friday issued an advisory to parents of mentally impaired to ensure that their wards remain engaged in activities while staying indoors as the pandemic spreads its wings across the state.

The advisory has been issued to parents of around 34,000 special athletes in Jharkhand.

“Our athletes are forced to stay indoors in view of the pandemic. We want them to continue with their daily drills and keep themselves occupied. This would keep them in good stead when we resume our outdoor training,” said the board’s assistant area director Satbir Singh Sahota.

He added since it is not possible to inform all the parents physically, they have created a Facebook account for the same. “Parents can read the advisory on our Facebook page,” Sahota, a former international cyclist, added.

According to him, special athletes can do physical exercises, dribbling (by placing cones) and also practice throws. “Parents can act as coaches for the same. National and international competitions would resume once Covid-related situation improves and we want our athletes to slip into outdoor training mode once it starts” Sahota, also resource person (for cycling) at the Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), a national organisation working for the promotion of mentally impaired, emphasised.

The state chapter also advised parents to not allow their children to unnecessarily venture out of homes and also not allow them to ride bikes. “There are chances of special athletes getting injured in road mishaps. Sometimes, it may prove to be fatal,” Sahota said.

The Special Olympics Jharkhand has branches across the state. It has tied up with Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to pep up activities in government schools. It recently introduced Cornhole Baggo, a highly popular game in Europe and the United States, across the state via webinar.