The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Differently-abled prove their mettle in sports

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 19, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Differently-abled prove their mettle in sports

Staff Reporter

800 disabled athletes participated in 150 events

GIVING HER BEST: A participant tries her hand at shotput throw at the annual state-level sports meet organised for the disabled in Chennai on Saturday. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI: Another day when the differently-abled from across the State proved their mettle in sporting events!

The occasion was the fifth annual state-level sports meet conducted for the physically challenged by the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust at the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority playground on Saturday.

The day-long event saw 800 disabled athletes from different parts of the State competing in 150 events.

The events included 50 and 100 metre walking race, shot-put, tricycle marathon and cricket ball throw, which were divided into four categories for men and women.

Participating with calipers and in wheelchairs, the athletes put in their best efforts.

G. Chidambaranathan, president, TNHFC Trust, urged the State Government to provide a world-class user-friendly playground for the disabled in the city.

He also appealed to the Government to recognise and provide job opportunities for disabled athletes performing well at national and international meets.

Ashok Varadan Shetty, Special Commissioner for the Disabled, accepted the guard of honour presented by the participants. G. Apoorva, member secretary, Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, inaugurated the sports meet. Prizes and certificates were distributed to the winners.

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