The sixth Karnataka State Games of the Deaf was held at the Kanteerava Stadium by the Association of the Deaf here on Saturday and Sunday.
The event was organised as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the association. The event witnessed the participation of about 500 participants from 15 schools across 21 districts in the State in several categories such as athletics, table tennis, volleyball and basketball.
Montfort School for the Disabled, Mandya, was adjudged the overall champion at the event while Mercy School for the Deaf, Mysore, was the runner-up. The best athlete (boys) prize was bagged by Montfort's V. Manjesha, while in the girls' category, the prize went to G. Shruti of Mercy School.
Participants who secured first and second places in the events will now be eligible to participate in the National Games for the Deaf 2011-12, scheduled to be held at West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Kashmir between September 2011 and January 2012.
G. William from the association said the event helps in encouraging sports among those with hearing disabilities, thereby, enhancing the quality of their lives. She lamented that the Government failed to provide financial support for such endeavours. With an estimated expenditure of Rs. 2.5 lakh to organise the event, the Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. were the major sponsors.
