Nun lives sports dream by coaching Indian special athletes

Abu Dhabi - India has the second largest delegation at the World Games Abu Dhabi and Rani has been in the UAE with 51 cyclists.

"Don't be deceived by this tracksuit, I am a nun," said Sister Rani George, cycling coach of Special Olympics India.
India has the second largest delegation at the World Games Abu Dhabi and Rani has been in the UAE with 51 cyclists.
Overall, India has crossed the 200-mark with 65 gold, 83 silver and 86 bronze medals on Tuesday. And so far, cyclists have won more than 30 of them.
"I am sure all cyclists will win and India will end with an all-time high on medal tally. Special Olympics World Games is a great experience for all athletes and people like me to learn and improve. Being on the international sports platform is a dream for these athletes and mine, too," said Rani, who has been associated with the Special Olympics since 2001.
Talking about her journey from being a nun to a coach, Rani said she was always passionate about sports, but life didn't go according to her plans. However, she had the will and found her own way.
"I was a good sportsperson during my school days at St Mary's Pala in Kottayam district. But in Class 7, my dreams to continue in sports were halted by my strict parents. As I was a girl, my parents didn't encourage me to continue with sports. After my pre-degree, I joined a convent and became a sister."
By becoming a nun, Rani found a new world of opportunities to realise her sports dreams.
"I was also a physiotherapist and used to work in a hospital. There were lots of children there with disabilities. I also took up a degree in special education and worked in a school for special needs. It was then that I decided to use the power of sports to help these special kids. I also brought together special needs kids from hospital to my school.
"I used to take them to tournaments, and it was a life-changing experience for them. After taking part in a few local tournaments, officials from Special Olympics India's national office said I was the right person to look after them. I was appointed as the programme manager for the state of Kerala. I also did my training programme and courses and became a certified coach in multiple events.
"I had trained previous teams in roller-skating, badminton and table tennis. While being on tracks and fields with these athletes, I help realise their dreams and also live mine of being in sports."
She said that over the years, awareness is rising and so is the number of special athletes.
"I am fully dedicated to spreading awareness and forever supporting these kids," Rani added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com