India Autism Center, Special Olympics Bharat Join Hands to Promote Inclusive Sports Ecosystem
New Delhi, June 16 (TNT): India Autism Center (IAC) and Special Olympics Bharat have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand inclusive sports opportunities and strengthen support systems for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities across India.
The agreement, effective from June 11, 2026, was signed by Jaishankar Natarajan, Director and Chief Executive Officer of IAC Patrons Foundation, and Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat and Chairperson of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Advisory Council (APAC), the Centre said in a release here on Tuesday.
The partnership aims to promote structured sports training, improve access to inclusive sporting infrastructure and create pathways for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities to participate in competitive and recreational sports.
Under the collaboration, the IAC Sports Center in Kolkata will serve as a dedicated venue partner for Special Olympics Bharat, providing facilities for training sessions, competitions, tournaments and recreational activities for special athletes.
The center will also support training camps, workshops, assessments and regional sporting events while ensuring accessibility and safety for participants.
Special Olympics Bharat will recognise the IAC Sports Center as an official venue partner across its digital platforms, including its website, mobile application and social media channels, to raise awareness about inclusive sports and equal opportunities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaishankar Natarajan said the partnership represents an important milestone in creating inclusive platforms where individuals with autism and developmental disabilities can benefit from the transformative impact of sports.
Dr. Mallika Nadda said sports have the power to build confidence, foster inclusion and create opportunities for personal growth. She noted that the collaboration would help expand access to quality training facilities and supportive environments for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Beyond sports development, the two organisations will explore collaborative research initiatives in adaptive sports, autism, inclusion and community participation.
The partnership will also focus on knowledge-sharing, joint publications and the development of outcome-based frameworks to strengthen athlete development and capacity-building among coaches and volunteers.
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