The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : They defy odds to put up a brave challenge

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Sunday, Sep 21, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

They defy odds to put up a brave challenge

Aloysius Xavier Lopez

Rotary Club conducts a sport meet for persons with disability

— Photo: Special Arrangement

Exceptional courage: Participants at the international sports and talent meet conducted by Rotary on Saturday.

CHENNAI: With the international sports and talent meet for the persons with disability kicking off, 750 participants with special needs from eight countries are busy challenging their challenges —physical, intellectual and sporting.

The participants have been selected from various Para Olympic associations across Asia. The participating countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia.

The three-day meet conducted by Rotary, which commenced on Friday, is being held at the Nehru indoor stadium, Nehru park stadium and Madras Race Club.

Twenty-year-old visually challenged Patricia Poo Huimin of Singapore says participating in the event is “a new experience providing exposure to the unknown culture of other challenged people.”

The Rotary club has been conducting the National Athletics and Sports Meet every year. It attracts participants from all over the country, including Arjuna awardees, International Para Olympians and special Olympians.

The meet provides the challenged an opportunity to exhibit their talents and demonstrate to the world the spirit of sports, organisers say.

“The complete inclusion of people with disabilities in society requires our solidarity. Our effort may contribute towards an international convention that legally binds nations to reinforce the moral authority of the United Nations Standard Rules on the equalisation of opportunities for persons with disabilities,” says S. Shivkumar, an organising committee member.

Badminton champion Srinivasa Rao, who received the Arjuna award in 2003, says,

“We are delighted to be here in Chennai for the first ever international sports and talent meet for people like us.” It is possible to find only two other things, self-reliance and positive attitude, when one looks for his legs.

Mumtaz Karim of Singapore says, “It is a good opportunity for challenged people to share their concerns and optimism with people who will be able to empathise with them.”

Gold Medallist in chess 29-year-old Abu Hasnat Miraj of Bangladesh says he is “feeling very good to be in the land of Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachan.” Despite polio mellitus robbing him of a chunk of his physique he has consistently refused to part with his morale and self-esteem.

“I am seeing a miracle. Seeing hundreds of challenged people brimming with confidence and enthusiasm is wonderful,” says Matthew Singka, an athlete from Malaysia.

He says, traffic and toilets in India bother him but people of India are very good.

N.K. Bhandari of Nepal says, “This event reinforces the fact that the contribution of people irrespective of their physical and intellectual constraints can be significant.”

Silver medallist in shot put Asghar Ali of Pakistan and gold medallist Sunil Kumar of India sharing ideas and concerns about challenged people in an atmosphere of friendship was an indication of the spirit of the event. It is not just winning.

It is more of sharing and caring.

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