BREAKING BARRIERS: Physically challenged athletes from various districts of the State participating in the 2nd State athletic meet in Vijayawada on Saturday. — PHOTO: RAJU. V.

VIJAYAWADA: The athletic meet held at Ajitsinghnagar stadium on Saturday was a different kind of a sports meet. The 2nd Andhra Pradesh athletic meet for the physically challenged witnessed over 500 participants from all over the State and a majority of them cannot hear and speak.

It was a very different day at the stadium where verbal communication was out, and sign language in. None of the athletes needed to shout to be understood.

Behind the sullen exterior, the athletes participated with great enthusiasm and vigour in their respective events, like any seasoned athlete. "I like sports. I want to represent my country," said Daveedamma of Krishna district, albeit with gesticulations.

Much to the surprise of motley crowd, the meet also saw athletes like K. Vijaya Kumar of Visakhapatnam, who participated in a world meet at Melbourne (Australia) in the 800m event.

The sports authority had a difficult time organising the meet as they patiently interacted with the help of interpreters.

Says District Sports Development Officer B. Sudhakar, "They used to write and give me and I used to answer their queries by writing.

But the interesting aspect is their will to participate and excel. In fact the meet was supposed to be held at IGMC stadium. As there was the Children's Day programme by GLAD, we shifted it to Singhnagar." The meet concludes on Sunday.

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