Jan thesleff

Special Olympics Asia Pacific: Special Olympics Bharat on Friday flagged off India's football team for the Gothia Cup 2026 at the send-off ceremony held at the Embassy of Sweden, New Delhi, for the event to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from July 12 to July 18. The team will look to complete a hat-trick of titles after winning the previous two editions of the Special Olympics Trophy category.

The athletes received an encouraging send-off from a distinguished gathering led by Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India, Ashish Sood, Minister of Home, Education, Power and Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, Sujeeth Pai, Director - Manufacturing Operations, India, Southeast Asia and Middle East (ISEAM), SKF India (Industrial) Limited, Representative from Special Olympics Bharat & SKF. Their presence served as a tribute to the team’s rigorous preparation and a resounding vote of confidence as they head to Sweden for the world’s largest and most prestigious youth football tournament.

The Indian contingent comprises 10 athletes and two coaches representing nine states and Union Territories across the country. The team was selected through a four-day national qualifying tournament held at the Centre for Defence Sports (CDS), Gwalior, in April 2026. More than 150 athletes from 16 states participated in the selection process. The shortlisted players subsequently underwent multiple national training camps before earning their place in the final squad that will represent India in Gothenburg.