SKF India and Special Olympics Bharat Flag Off India's Football Team for Gothia Cup 2026

2026-07-11 12:06:25 Sports

209

New Delhi, 11 July 2026: SKF India (Industrial) (NSE: SKFINDUS | BSE: 544572), in partnership with Special Olympics Bharat, today flagged off India's football team for the Gothia Cup 2026 at the send—off ceremony held at the Embassy of Sweden, New Delhi. The team will look to complete a remarkable hat-trick of titles after winning the previous two editions of the Special Olympics Trophy category. The tournament will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 12th July – 18th July.

The athletes received an encouraging send-off from a distinguished gathering led by Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India, Ashish Sood, Cabinet Minister of Home, Education, Power and Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, Sujeeth Pai, Director- Manufacturing Operations, India, Southeast Asia and Middle East (ISEAM), SKF India (Industrial) Limited, Representative from Special Olympics Bharat & SKF. Their presence served as a tribute to the team’s rigorous preparation and a resounding vote of confidence as they head to Sweden for the world’s largest and most prestigious youth football tournament.

Speaking at the event, Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India, said, "It is a privilege to host India's football team at the Embassy of Sweden as they prepare to travel to Gothenburg for the Gothia Cup 2026. The tournament represents the values of inclusion, teamwork and friendship that Sweden deeply cherishes. We wish Team India every success and look forward to welcoming these talented athletes to Sweden as they showcase their skills and inspire audiences from around the world."

Sujeeth Pai, Director – Manufacturing Operations , SKF India (Industrial) Limited, said, "At SKF India (Industrial), we believe that performance and progress thrive in an environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. Our partnership with Special Olympics Bharat is a reflection of this commitment to inclusion, empowerment and creating pathways for talent to flourish. We are proud to support these exceptional athletes as they represent India at the Gothia Cup 2026. Their determination, teamwork and resilience embody values that resonate deeply with SKF. We wish the team every success on the global stage and hope their journey inspires many more young athletes to pursue their dreams with confidence and courage."

The Indian contingent comprises 10 athletes and two coaches representing nine states and Union Territories across the country. The team was selected through a four-day national qualifying tournament held at the Centre for Defence Sports (CDS), Gwalior, in April 2026. More than 150 athletes from 16 states participated in the selection process. The shortlisted players subsequently underwent multiple national training camps before earning their place in the final squad that will represent India in Gothenburg.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mallika Nadda, President Special Olympics Bharat and Chairperson Special Olympics Asia Pacific said, "Our football team has made the entire nation proud by winning the Gothia Special Olympics Trophy in 2024 and successfully defending the title in 2025. As they travel to Sweden for Gothia Cup 2026, they have a remarkable opportunity to create history by becoming the first team to win the championship three consecutive times. I am confident they will give their very best and represent India and Special Olympics Bharat with pride, determination, and exemplary sportsmanship.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to SKF India for partnering with Special Olympics Bharat and supporting our athletes on their Road to Gothia Cup 2026. Their unwavering commitment has enabled our athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete on the international stage and pursue excellence through the transformative power of sport. I convey my best wishes to the entire team as they embark on this exciting journey. Whatever the final outcome, they have already emerged as champions by inspiring countless people with their courage, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to excellence."

Over the past three years, SKF India (Industrial) and Special Olympics Bharat have worked together to create opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete on the global stage. Their partnership has supported India's participation at the Gothia Cup through athlete selection, training and international exposure.

SKF has partnered with the Gothia Cup for over two decades and has been a long-standing supporter of Special Olympics globally. In India, the partnership reflects the company's deep commitment to advancing inclusion through sport and creating opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest level.

Founded in 1975, the Gothia Cup is held annually in Gothenburg, Sweden. The tournament brings together more than 1,900 teams from over 70 countries every year. Since 2011, the Special Olympics Trophy has provided athletes with intellectual disabilities an international platform to compete alongside teams from across the world.

About SKF:

Since 1907, SKF has been making some of the world’s most innovative bearings, seals, lubrication systems, condition monitoring solutions, and services to reduce friction. Less friction means more energy saved and by reducing it, we make industry smarter, more competitive, and more energy efficient, building a more sustainable future where we can all do more with less. SKF is represented in approximately 130 countries and has around 17,000 distributor locations worldwide. Annual sales in 2025 were SEK 91,583 million and the number of employees was 37,271.

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.