Pakistan departs for Italy to compete in Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025

Pakistan's 26-member contingent is set to leave for Italy to participate in the 16th Special Olympics World Winter Games 2025 on Thursday evening.

The event will be held from March 8 to 16. The contingent will leave for Turin, Italy via Dubai on a foreign flight.

Pakistani athletes, despite limited resources, have undergone extensive training for the mega event. Their preparations included snow training in the northern regions of Pakistan and endurance training on Karachi’s beaches and roads to simulate conditions for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Speaking exclusively to Nukta, Special Olympics Pakistan Chairperson Ronak Lakhani said that it was a very difficult task for the athletes to prepare for the Winter Games.

“Pakistani special athletes have immense talent. Despite limited resources, the athletes have worked hard in the training camp,” she said.

They are hopeful that the athletes will perform brilliantly in the event. National athletes will participate in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Pakistan squad

The squad features 10 athletes (five male and five female), along with coaches, officials, medical personnel, and support staff. The delegation reflects a diverse representation of Pakistan, with participants hailing from Karachi, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Swabi, and Gilgit.

Pakistani athletes during the Special Olympics send-off ceremony held in KarachiSpecial Olympics Pakistan

This year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games will see over 1,500 athletes from 93 countries competing in eight sports, including Alpine Skiing, Figure Skating, Snowboarding, and Floorball.

Lakhani emphasized that the event is not just about competition but also about breaking barriers and promoting an inclusive society. She believes that Pakistan’s athletes are not only competitors but ambassadors of resilience and determination, proving that sports can unite and empower individuals regardless of challenges.