DU plans 2-day sport event for disabled

Before the participants of the Commonwealth Games take over the grounds of Delhi University in a few months, some really 'special' players are coming to show the true sportsman spirit on the campus. Their limitations notwithstanding, the disabled students from various colleges of DU will come together for a first-of-its-kind sports meet in DU on March 6 and 7.

"We have a lot of differently-abled students who are good in sports. In fact, we even have a football team of visually-impaired students from different colleges. The team recently won a trophy in a tournament organised by the Blind Relief Association," said Dr Chandra Nisha Singh, officer on special duty, Equal Opportunity Cell. The cell is organising the two-day event.

"Similarly, we have a number of students interested in athletics. There is a great enthusiasm among the differently-abled students for sports. So we want to encourage them to come out through such a sports meet."
EOC has planned to hold events like Javelin Throw, Short Put and races of all kinds besides a chess tournament at Shri Ram College of Commerce which will be held on February 27 and 28.

The sports meet is one of the several initiatives taken up by the EOC to give a level playing field to the differently-abled students on the campus. "We have given a free choice to the students in the games. They can participate in any sport available. There will be no trials or any selection process," Singh said.

According to the EOC, there won't be any special training before the games for the differently-abled students willing to participate. "Most of the students have sports coaches or special trainers in their respective colleges. But even if a student runs for the first time, we will be happy to have him," Singh added.