Torino: Pakistan’s Special Olympics team is all set to make their mark at the 12th Special Olympics World Winter Games, taking place in Torino, Italy.

Yesterday, the team participated in intense training sessions to prepare for the upcoming events. Today, Pakistan’s Maneeb-ur-Rehman and Rovena Qurban will compete in the Cross-Country Skiing event at the Pregelato venue. The Divisioning Round will determine the athletes’ placement in the competition. Pakistan’s snowshoeing team, comprising Afak Khan, Mazhar Iqbal, Shah Gul, Aqra, Tabassum, Ali Raza, and Manahil, will also participate in the snowshoeing events.

Their training session is scheduled for today at the Pregelato venue. Joe Wilson, a representative from BBC, met with the Pakistani athletes and expressed his well-wishes for the events. “I welcome Pakistan’s team to the 2025 World Winter Games,” he said. “I’ve traveled to Pakistan several times to cover cricket, but I’m thrilled to see the Green Shirts competing in the World Winter Games.”

The Special Olympics World Winter Games will feature athletes from around the world competing in various winter sports events. Pakistan’s participation in the games is a testament to the country’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowering athletes with intellectual disabilities.