RAWALPINDI: Two special athletes from the Rawalpindi division, who secured three medals for the country in Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025, held in Turin, Italy,returned home on Monday.

Ali Raza won two medals, a bronze medal in snowshoeing and another bronze in the 4×100 rally race (male) and Shahgaloon Hayat brought home a silver medal in the 4×100 rally race (female).

The champions were warmly welcomed upon their arrival at the Islamabad International Airport in the early Monday by the District Education Officer (Special Education) Shumaila Khan Sial along with Deputy District Officer (Special Education) Kalsoom Bibi, Government Special Education Center, Misrial Road Headmaster Noor Hussain Awan, Government Special Education Center, Kallar Syedan Headmaster Shahzad Javed, Government Degree College of Special Education Principal Kashif Mehmood and Government Qandeel Secondary School for Blind Boys Principal Pervaiz Akhtar.

During the welcoming ceremony special tributes were paid to Special Olympics Pakistan for providing a platform where special athletes could shine on the global stage.

They appreciated the efforts of Shumaila Khan Sial, DEO Special Education Rawalpindi Division, for her unwavering commitment to the progress of special education. Her dedication has significantly contributed to the advancement of both teachers and students in every aspect, including curricular and co-curricular activities during the past 20 months.

Other speakers said that this proud moment highlights the incredible potential of special athletes and reinforces the importance of inclusion, empowerment, and support in the field of special education.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025