THE WINNERS GAME
Every year, the “Gift of Life Foundation”- founded by Russian actresses Chulpan Khamatova and Dina Korzun gives a great opportunity for the survivors of childhood cancer to participate in this amazing international competition.
’The Winners Games’ is organized every year in Moscow, Russia, where cancer survivors from many countries are invited to participate in competitive events like Track, Chess, Football, Table tennis, swimming and Rifle shooting.
The main purpose of ‘The Winners Games’ is to help cancer survivor children get back to normal life and rehabilitate them in normal life after the long successful battle with the disease. Participants learn that they are not different from other children, and that they can lead the same active life they had led before – ‘sport is the very opposite of the disease’. The positive impact on their self-confidence is unimaginable. For many gravely ill children the dream to take part in The Winners Games itself gives an impetus for recovery. When they are diseased, they think: why me? But during such events children learn that they can overcome everything and that so many of them are doing it…so why cant he!"
Participation in athletic events of the Winners Games is open to children between the age 7 to 16 years and who have completed their treatment for an oncological disease. All participants can compete in six disciplines: Track, Chess, Football, Table tennis, swimming and Shooting in their respective age categories. There are no restrictions related to the physical fitness and sports training on the participation in the Winners Games.
The Games Organizing Committee bears all expenses related to accommodation in Moscow, meals, transfer, sports equipment, entertainment and sightseeing programs. Each child may be accompanied by one parent. In addition, the teams also include a doctor and a staff member of a charity foundation. The cost of traveling to Moscow and back is borne by each participating team.
Since 2014, Tata hospital is being invited to participate in this prestigious international sports event. All children participants from India are sent through Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel.
Every year, with the help and support of Dr Shripad Banavali and Pediatric department of Tata Memorial Hospital, few cancer survivor children who have a liking for sports are selected and trained to represent India in the games. The selection of the team, organizing the practice sessions, overall team management etc is taken care of by volunteer social worker Ms. Ameeta Bhatia. The ImPaCCT Foundation looks after the traveling cost of the team and other financial needs. Dieticians from the Pediatric department help in preparation of special diet for the participants.
In the last 5 years, children participants from India have performed exceedingly well in this prestigious international event and have done India proud. Indian team’s performance over the years:
Year Medals
2014 8
2015 10
2016 10
2017 26
2018 22
This year, Team India will be represented by 10 well trained, extremely energised and motivated children. They, alongwith their parent and 2 others shall be leaving for Moscow on 2nd July to participate in the Games. 7 of them are from Mumbai and rest from other cities.
Many thanks also to
Mr. Vaze and Mr. Kedar for rendering voluntarily training to our children in Chess since last many years. Impact of their training on our children has been tremendous. Imagine Indian children competing with the strong chess talent pool of Russia and getting medals back home!
Ms. Snehal Papalkar a professional riffle shooting coach for giving unconditional support to our children since the last 4 years.
Pediatric Department for arranging football and track coaching for the children at the St. Xavier ground, Parel.
NGOs who helps children with sports kit.
Institutions which help children get proper professional training in swimming and table tennis.
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