Bhubaneswar: The goalkeeper for the SO Bharat Female Floorball Team and an Odia girl Sipra Priyadarshini played a pivotal role in securing a bronze medal at the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Turin from March 8 to 15, 2025.
Known for her remarkable defensive skills, Sipra stood like a wall, blocking multiple attempts by the opposition to score during the Female Floorball competition. Her stellar performance played a crucial role in securing the bronze medal for the team.
The 8-member women’s floorball team, comprising Anu, Ashaben, Divya, Janhavi, Nandita, Pinkalben, Riya, and Sipra, triumphed over Trinidad and Tobago with an impressive 10-2 victory to secure the bronze.
“This achievement is particularly special because of Sipra Priyadarshini’s stellar performance. A lot of credit goes to her coach in Odisha, Geeta Panda whose dedication to enhancing Sipra’s goalkeeping skills has been vital,” said Prakash Rath, the Area Director of Special Olympics Bharat. “Congratulations to Sipra, her coach, and the entire SO Bharat team for this remarkable success.”
The success of the SO Bharat team was celebrated further when Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the athletes in Parliament on Tuesday, congratulating them for their outstanding performance.
The team brought home 33 medals in total, including 8 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze, marking a historic achievement for India at the Special Olympics World Winter Games.
In a tweet shared on his official social media platform X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed his pride, “I am immensely proud of our athletes who have brought glory to the nation at the Special Olympics World Winter Games held in Turin, Italy! Our incredible contingent has brought home 33 medals. Met the contingent in Parliament and congratulated them for their accomplishments.”
Sipra Priyadarshini’s achievement, along with the success of her team, has brought immense pride to Odisha and the nation, further showcasing the talent and determination of Special Olympics athletes.
