More than 50 visually challenged persons from Salem city and other parts of the district displayed their sporting talent by participating in the mini-marathon organised exclusively for them by the Yi (Young Indians) Salem Chapter, affiliated to the Confederation of Indian Industry, in the city on Sunday.
This is the first time that such a novel sports event was conducted in the city.
The Yi Salem chapter organised the mini marathon to display its commitment to empower visually challenged people become self-reliant by providing comprehensive rehabilitation, education and employment opportunities.
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The mini-marathon served as a platform to bring together people from different walks of life, including people with disabilities, to bring about awareness and a feeling of oneness. This also provided an opportunity to build strong bondage between non-disabled and disabled people.
The race was conducted with the objective of encouraging the visually impaired and to look at life positively, gain confidence and strive to be winners.
The game is a medium to transmit the message to believe in ability, said V. Aravinthan, chair, Yi Salem chapter. The event will enable to hold hands with people with disabilities and walk for the cause we all believe in, he said. P. Natarajan, Managing Director, KPN Travels Limited, flagged off the marathon from the Collectorate, in the presence of Mr. Aravinthan, Yatin B. Shah, Vice-Chair, Salem chapter of Yi, and Dinesh K. Amudhan, president, Membership Engagement. The visually challenged sports persons ran with the help of helpers, who guided the route to them, up to Gndhi Stadium.
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Free medical check-up was conducted to all the race participants and the volunteers by a team of doctors from the Saravana Hospital Private Limited, Ponnamapet, Salem for the participants and volunteers.