Sports Tournament for Disabled

Aarambh-09', the state-level sports meet for the differently abled jointly organized by Rotaract Club of Bangalore, Jayanagar (Young wing of Rotary Bangalore Jayanagar) and Samarthanam Trust and Times Foundation was held at Kanteerava outdoor stadium on Saturday. The events were distributed into many categories like 50 meters and 100 meters running race, throw ball, shot putt, and javelin throw. These were further categorised into age groups of 7 to 12, 13 to 18 and 19 and above.
For Suma, 19, it is all in her reach. Be it shot putt, throw ball or running race, nothing can stop her from playing even though she is partially visually challenged. Suma says, "I am excited to be here. Not just sports, but monoacting, dancing and singing are my favourite activities." For many children like Suma, it was an exciting day with over 450 specially-abled children participating in the mega event. 
"I come from Asha Kirana, School for the Blind, Mysore. This is the first time I am in
Bangalore. I feel on top of the world that I won the first prize in running race. Thank God, my practice for 15 days has paid off', said Ramesh, an 11-year-old partially visually challenged boy. Speaking about the training programmes, Rakshitha M Amin, a teacher of Karnataka Welfare Association for the Blind, said, "I did not have formal training to teach these children. But I learnt it on the job. Teaching these children needs a lot of care as they are sensitive to sound and touch and cannot see. It is very difficult to give them physical training and make them run, or play games like throw ball. We guide them through oral instructions and touch."
"Although I cannot run, I can see these people run. I am happy to be here with so many people of my kind and we are having fun. I will participate in shot putt. Even if I don't win a prize here, I will cherish these memories for ever", said Harish, an 11 year old who is physically challenged. "We have been given an opportunity to play and be with people like us. I love the atmosphere here and the volunteers are very helpful", said Gangamma, a hearing impaired girl from Mysore.
Inaugurating the programme, Women and Child Welfare department secretary D S Ashwath said, "There are 29 grantin-aid schools dedicated to differently abled children in the state. We were giving 50 per cent grant earlier which has now been increased to 75 per cent. Though these children may be suffering from disabilities, they have numerous hidden talents. They don't require sympathy but just a helping hand. Moreover, it is not just monetary help, but we should focus more on bringing these people to the mainstream."
World's youngest director Master Kishan Shrikanth said, "During my Greece visit, I was moved to see a movie done by differently abled children. If I get a good script and a producer, then I am ready to make a movie for differently abled children."
It was a special Saturday for the specially abled children as they challenged their disabilities and showcased their skills in Arambh 2009, a state-level sports meet for the physically challenged kids here.
The winners and participants in various events including in running race, longjump, shot put and javelin throw at the Sree Kanteerava stadium were awarded certificates from the International Paralympic Committee.