25 year old Dhriti Pandit with down’s syndrome represented India at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023, Berlin , Germany and secured 4th place in the game of Table Tennis. After missing out the previous competitions 25 year old Dhriti had faced distress when she couldn’t qualify for Abu Dhabi games but found hope again for the Berlin Games.
It may be recalled that having diagnosed with down syndrome in Grade 3, Dhriti’s dependence on parents grew when she couldn’t continue at her vocational training centre, when she turned 18. So, Dhriti joined SO Bharat , playing Table Tennis and showing interest in Handball and Baseball. She practiced Table Tennis regularly at a Sports Club near home named ‘Guru Table Tennis Centre’ , which enabled her in improving her skills with the help of International Table Tennis Federation Level 3 star Certified Coach , Mr. Gurcharan Singh Gill ( Popularly Known as Guru Sir) for more than 7 years.
The bond between Coach and Dhriti is very strong , with trust and understanding . Her Coach believes that sports brings positive change , going beyond the limitations of school syllabus and benefitting athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dhriti’s life is meaningfully occupied. She works as an assistant Chef in a Bakery and continues her Table Tennis practice after her job.
Dhriti’s dream of competing on the world stage has come to reality, bringing smile to her face as she sees her progress. The entire team at Guru Table Tennis Academy and Arogyam Dhanasampada Foundation team wishes her grand success. Dhriti has been felicitated by Hon. Governor of Maharashtra Shri. Ramesh Bais.