Bullied then, champion now: Mani strikes gold

Time of India

18-07-2025

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Chandigarh: In a quiet corner of a skating rink at SOREM school, a 25-yr old tall young man gently adjusts a child's helmet before helping him balance on roller skates. His voice is calm, his smile reassuring.
Few would guess that this coach, Mani Singh, a national gold medallist in table tennis, once struggled to find his own footing in the world.
Mani brought home a gold medal in Table Tennis at the Special Olympics Bharat National Table Tennis Games held in Chandigarh from July 14-18 in Men's Singles (09 category). Based on the skill test, the categories are decided according to the level of the player from 1–13 categories (in descending order).
It is a win that has brought pride not only to his family and school, but also to a community often overlooked.
Behind the medal, however, lies a story marked by silence and endurance. Diagnosed with an intellectual disability, Mani found the early years of schooling difficult. The pace of learning didn't match his needs, and though he tried, he often fell behind. Repeating classes became a routine. What hurt more were the reactions around him.
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by Taboola
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"Classmates made fun of how he spoke, how tall he was," says his mother, Kusum. "Eventually, he stopped talking. He didn't want to go to school. We saw our child retreat into himself."
There were attempts to help, new schools, but nothing quite worked. Many mainstream institutions were ill-equipped to understand, let alone support, children like Mani. For the family, the times were testing.
It was only when a well-wisher recommended SOREM, a school dedicated to children with special needs, that things began to shift.
Here, Mani found a space where he wasn't expected to fit a mould but was allowed to grow.
"He was hesitant at first, but the change came through sports," says his mother. He was introduced to table tennis and other sports that have now become Mani's passion.
Mani began participating in every sport he could, badminton, skating, cycling. He previously won a gold medal at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2019 in Abu Dhabi for the 10K Time Trial Cycling event.
"I called my parents the moment I got the medal," Mani says with a grin. "They were so happy. I couldn't stop smiling." His discipline, quiet determination, and love for sports have become the foundation of his life.
After completing Class 12 at SOREM, Mani has been offered a position as a skating coach at the same school that once helped him rediscover his confidence. He now coaches other students, helping children like himself find their own footing.
"I didn't enjoy anything before," says Mani softly, "but now I love every sport. I like helping others play too."
Beyond medals and certificates, Mani's achievements speak to something more profound, the importance of inclusive spaces and patient guidance. It's about not reducing a person to a diagnosis.
"He's travelled to camps, climbed mountains in Kullu-Manali, and handles himself with so much more independence now," says his mother.
"We used to worry about his future, but now we look forward to it."
Mani dreams of representing India again and hopes for a government job in the sports field. But more than that, he dreams of a world that understands that every journey is different, and all are worthy of support. His story is a reminder, when children with disabilities are given a fair chance, they don't just participate, they excel.