Special Olympics Jharkhand (SOJ) would no longer have to seek help from different quarters in future thanks to an initiative by the national outfit.

As per the initiative, SOJ will set up sports centres (read dedicated ground for the intellectually impaired) in Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Dhanbad and Bokaro. The spade work has already begun and the sports centres should be in place by August.

The Special Olympics Bharat (SOB), a national organization involved in promotion of the intellectually impaired has launched an initiative for setting up 750 sports centers across India, including Jharkhand, said SOJ assistant area director Satbir Singh Sahota.

"Having a dedicated ground for our athletes would be great since we have to remain dependent on various quarters for conducting training sessions and competitions. We have earmarked Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Dhanbad and Bokaro for setting up sports centres with a room for keeping equipment. We are already working on this project," Sahota, a former international cyclist, added.

In Jamshedpur, which is the hub of Special Olympics activities in Jharkhand, SOJ has to depend mostly on JRD Tata Sports Complex (for conducting training sessions and competitions), which is owned by Tata Steel. In Ranchi, it has to seek help from Deepshikha (institute for child development & mental health) for organising activities.It doesn't have its own ground in Dhanbad and Bokaro either.

According to Sahota, they would seek help from Tata Steel for allotting them an open space which SOJ can develop. "We'll approach the state government with a similar request. Coal India Limited and Bokaro Steel Plant have promised support in Dhanbad and Bokaro, respectively", he added

"Our athletes will be filled with pride for having their own playing venue in future," the SOJ assistant area director remarked.

Sahota said SOB will be providing financial help (to the sports centres) for three years for payment of coaches and other related expenses. "After three years, we will have to take care of the expenses on our own. We would generate funds by seeking support from corporate houses in Jharkhand," he stated.

Incepted in 2000, the SOJ has approximately 39,000 athletes in 18 districts of the state through support of Jharkhand Education Project Council and Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan. Athletes have participated in all the Special Olympics International World Games from 1991 onwards. Till date, Jharkhand athletes have won 22 gold, 18 silver and 22 bronze in World Summer and Winter Games.

There are countless athletes in Jharkhand who have won medals at various special olympic sports at national championships since 2000 onwards. It has 23 international coaches.