Around 800 athletes from 24 States are expected to participate in the three-day Para Athletics National Championship 2012, which will begin at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Monday.
Organised by the Karnataka Sports Association for Physically Handicapped under the aegis of the Paralympic Committee of India and the Para Athletic Federation of India, the championship will feature 156 events in five categories of ambulants, wheelchair, cerebral palsy, visually impaired and dwarf category, said a statement from R. Rathan Singh, secretary general, Paralympic Committee of India.
He said the event in Bangalore is also a selection trial for London Paralympic Games to be held in August 2012 and the forthcoming Malaysian Open Championship scheduled in April 2012.
Union Minister for Tourism Sultan Ahmed, who is also the president of the Paralympic Committee of India, is expected to inaugurate the championship at Kanteerava stadium on Monday evening.
The former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Rajanna, Director for Disabled Welfare Venkatesh M. will be present.
“This championship will showcase the paralympic athletes, who made our country proud in Paralympics, Para Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other international championships”, Mr. Singh said.
He said the championship, which will be organised by technically qualified officials, will also see the installation of photo finish cameras for the first time in a paralympic athletic event in the country. Also, doping test will be conducted for the athletes.
