Surathkal’s Sowmya Devadiga, a teacher at Lions Special School, has been selected as the coach for the Indian floorballteam at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025. The prestigious event will take place in Turin, Italy, from March 8 to 15.
Reflecting on her journey, Sowmya shared, “Being called the Karnataka coach at the national selection camp was a proud moment. Now, representing India internationally is an even greater honor.” She expressed gratitude to her school for arranging her travel for selection camps and acknowledged the support of Amarendra, area director of Special Olympics Bharat Karnataka.
The selection process was rigorous, beginning at the state level, where 26 athletes and 17 coaches were shortlisted. In the Gwalior phase, five coaches and 15 students advanced, and finally, a 12-day camp in Chandigarh determined the final squad—eight athletes and three coaches, including two from Himachal Pradesh.
A former kabaddi player, Sowmya transitioned from teaching in regular schools to working with special children, eventually developing a deep passion for floorball, a sport similar to hockey.
The Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 will host over 1,500 athletes from 102 nations, competing in snowboarding, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, floorball, and figure skating. India will send a 78-member contingent.
State Sports Director Narayana Sherigar has urged the government to allocate a dedicated budget to support Special Olympics athletes.
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