Special persons take part in Special Olympics

The event was organised by Lions Club Mangalore Valencia and Lions Club International District 324-D5.

Despite delay in the commencement of the event, the participants patiently waited without making fuss about it and then took part in the events with great deal of enthusiasm.

The sport events including athletics, soft ball, disc throw, long jump, high jump and others were conducted on the occasion.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, St Agnes special school coach Narayan said that 153 participants from St Agnes School alone have attended the event and some of these participants brilliant sportsmen who have taken part in the international level events too.

“Training these differently abled individuals may be challenging but not impossible. We modify the sport rules to facilitate differently abled participants. For instance, 100 metre race is reduced to 50 metres in Special Olympics”, he said. Meanwhile he said that 120 events have been classified into two parts namely higher ability and lower ability sports to encourage the competitive spirit among the participants.  

One of the participant Prithviraj Shetty who is an international level athlete expressed joy for having an opportunity to participate in Special Olympics of Mangalore. “I have participated and won medals in the athletic events held at Mysore, Bangalore, Delhi and many other places. I am happy to take part in the Special Olympics in Mangalore,” he said.

Earlier inaugurating the event, Mayor Rajani Dugganna commended the effort of Lions Club in organising Special Olympics every year. District Governor 324-D5 Ln J K Rao presided over the formal function.

The participants lead a march past prior to the commencement of the sports.