Sports for differently-abled

CHENNAI: For the first time in the city, an inter-collegiate meet exlusively for the differently-abled was held at the Loyola College hockey ground on Saturday. Organised by the Resource Centre for Differently Abled and the Department of Physical Education of Loyola College, around 160 students participated in various events like volleyball, shotput, tug-of-war and 50-metre track events.Around 50 students from various city colleges including Ethiraj, Queen Mary’s, Quaid-e-Millath College and Nandanam Arts College, and 110 students from the host institution took part with enthusiasm in each of the competitions. Loyola College won the overall trophy.Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the sports meet, Kannegi Packianathan, Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Department for the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons, said that measures were being taken to ensure a barrier-free environment at all colleges – government, aided and private – by providing ramps, lifts and other facilities.All winners were given certificates and prizes, and the overall winners were given a shield. Banu, a partially-blind participant, said, “It was an enjoyable experience to have a sports meet which was something I have not experienced. I had a lot of fun in the tug-of-war.”