Excitement and sportsmanship was at its peak at Saanidhya Panama Kreeda Mahotsava - 2013, Karnataka State Level Sports Competition for Differently Abled held at DK District ZP Kuvepu Model High School and Primary School Ground in Mangalore on Friday.
The sports meet was organised by Saanidhya Residential School and Training Centre for the Mentally Challenged in Association with Panama Corporation Ltd and Sports and Cultural Academy for Differently Abled (SACADA).
The programme kicked off with a marchpast from differently abled students from over 32 special schools from 16 districts of the State. The students wore colourful uniforms and enthusiastically marched for the beats of the Saanidhya school band. The flag bearer of each school waved the school flag in pride.
The sports flag was unfurled by Veenu Group of Companies Managing Director Vinod Sherlekar along with Panama Corporation Ltd Managaing Director Amritha Vivekraj and Team Saathiyaa Founder Maxwell Lobo. Later, they visited each of the teams and shook hands with the flag bearer.
The torch which was lit at Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara temple by former Union Minister B Janardhana Poojary on Thursday was brought to the venue. The students then solemnly pledged to play with true sportsmanship at the oath taking ceremony.
To mark the decennial year celebrations of Saanidhya School, 10 bunch of balloons were set free. Students cheered with joy to see the balloons fluttering high up in the air. The chief guests in their messages emphasised the importance of participation and sportsmanship.
The sports events were divided into two categories. 50 metres race and Tennis Ball Throw was organised for lower ability order students. Long Jump, Shot Put, Tennis Ball Throw, 100 mts, 200 mts, 400 mts events were held for higher ability order students.
Each event was held for male and female participants separately. Four age groups such as 8 to11, 12 to 15, 16 to 21 and 25 above were formed.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Vasanth Kumar Shetty of Saanidhya School said that the winners of the state level sports fest will participate in the national level para Olympics to be held in Orissa in March.
This is the fourth time the sports event is held in Mangalore. The sports meet has received a very good response with over 300 participants, he said. Ice Cream and Soft Drinks were distributed to the students.
The sports meet will continue on Saturday and end with a valedictory. MLA U T Khader, MLA Krishna J Palemar will be guests.
A special entertainment programme was held after the sports meet on Friday. Kumari Pragathi A P performed instrumental saxophone, followed by Musical Nite by Jagadish Shetty and Group (Harmony).
Winners
In 8 to 11 age category, Amog from Christha Raj Navachethan School and Vidya from Swastha (Kodagu) won 100 metres race in male and female category respectively.
In Soft Ball Throw, Rajath S Shetty from Dr Steiners (Dharwad) and Joyce P from Manasa Pamboor won in male and female category respectively.
In 12 to 15 age category, Basavanth from Aradhana (Belgaum) bagged two golds by covering 100 metres in 15 sec and covering 3.24 metre in long jump.
Rebheka won two gold medals in 200 metre race and Shot Put and Divya won gold in Long Jump. Both are students of Bethany Jeevan Jyothi (D K).
Sunil from Manasa (Pamboor) and Chandrakala from A A K T (Davangere) won 100 metres race in 16- 21 age group male and female category respectively. Thallath from Saanidhya (DK) won in Shot Put and Vinay from Bethany Mardala won in High Jump.
In 20 to 25 age category, Sandeep Fernandes and Sunitha Lobo, both from Manasa (Pamboor) won 100 metres race in male and female category respectively.
In 25 plus age category, Richard from Manasa (Pamboor) and Bhavya from Swastha (Kodagu) won 100 metre race in male and female category respectively. Harish from Vishwa Shanthi Nikethan (Bangalore) won in Shot Put.