It was a day of joy and excitement for differently abled children who took part in ‘Horizon 2013,’ a sports meet for children with special needs, here on Friday.
Over 400 children participated in the meet, which was jointly organised by the Department of Rehabilitation Science of Holy Cross College and Inner Wheel Club of Tiruchi, at the college grounds.
The event was organised to commemorate the 30th year celebrations of the department. “It is important to involve differently abled children in sporting activities as it would help improve their confidence and bring to the fore their talents,” said N. Annavi, former international high jumper.
Competitions were conducted under three categories — 8 to 11 years, 12 to 15 years, and above 15 years — for intellectually challenged, hearing impaired, visually challenged, and orthopedically challenged children.
The contests, included 25 metre, 50 metre, and 100 metre races, standing long jump, soft ball throw, and shotput. Visually challenged children competed in “adapted volleyball” event.
Commending the efforts of the special school teachers, A.M. Karunagara Pandian, District Differently Abled Welfare Officer, said they played a vital role in identifying and nurturing the latent talent of differently-abled children.
Earlier, A. Jaya, Mayor, inaugurated the sports meet in the presence of Sr. Jeusin Francis, Principal, Holy Cross College; Uma Sorna Ganesh, president, Inner Wheel Club of Tiruchi, and Latha Manogaran, Project Director, Umbrella.
March past and cultural programmes by the differently-abled children formed part of the inaugural function.
