Belgaum: The district-level Special Olympics Athletic Meet 2006-07 for mentally challenged would be held at the C.P. Ed. Ground here on Wednesday.

The one-day event is being organised by the State unit of Special Olympics Bharat and supported by Parents' Association for Mentally Challenged and other social organisations for the first time in the city.

State Director of Special Olympics Bharat-Karnataka and association president Raghavendra Pujar said 117 candidates, including 31 girls in five age groups, would be participating in 15 events. The participants representing Aradhana School and Lion's Club- run Special School in Belgaum, Sri Renuka M.R. School, Saundatti; Carmel Vidya Vikas Centre, Bailhongal and Sri Dhudhnana Special School, Hidkal Dam, were trained in their respective schools for 15 days.

He said the events would be held for different age groups of 8-11, 12-15, 16-21, 22-29 and 30 and above. The events slated for competitions include soft ball throw, standing long jump, 100 metres run, 100 metres walk; 200 and 400 metres run, short put, high jump, tennis ball throw, assisted walk and wheelchair-based events.

Vijaykant, chairman of Special Olympics Bharat-Karnataka, said the basic objective behind organising sporting events for mentally challenged children and adults was to provide them due opportunity to explore their talents and feel part of the social mainstream.

He said the Special Olympics organisation was seriously concerned about the growth of such individuals and planning to have an integrated and holistic approach to their overall physical and mental development. Various programmes had been chalked out to ensure proper care, including issue of an identity card, which would enable individuals to not only participate in various Special Olympics, but also access healthcare facilities, either free or for concession.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail