Mangalore, Feb 19: To commemorate its decennial year, Saanidhya Residential School and Training Centre for the Mentally Challenged, Mangalore, will organise 'Saanidhya Panama Kreeda Mahotsava – 2013' a state-level sports meet for the differently abled, in collaboration with Panama Corporation Ltd, Mangalore and Sports And Cultural Academy for Differently Abled (SACADA) on February 21, 22 and 23, said honorary secretary of Saanidhya Vasanth Kumar Shetty.
Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, he said that sports competitions would be held as part of the sports meet for those affected by autism, cerebral palsy, dementia and specific learning problems. Over 700 differently-abled children from 40 special schools in 16 districts of Karnataka will participate in the sports meet.
Competitions like 100, 200 and 400-metre race, shot-put, high-jump and long jump will be held for those differently abled with higher ability, and 50-metre race, cricket and throwball for those with lower ability. There will be an opportunity for one team of male and one of female participants from each participating school to take part in 4x100 metre relay race, he said.
He said that so far over 290 participants hae already registered in the higher ability category and around 400 in the lower ability category, who will be accompanied by around 175 assistant teachers.
A torch run will be held at 4.30 p.m. on Thursday from Shri Gokarnatheshwara Temple in Kudroli to Mangala Stadium to spread awareness among the public. Former Union Minister B Janardhan Poojary will light the torch on the occasion. The inaugural ceremony of the sports meet will be held on Friday at 10.15 a.m. at DK district Zilla Panchayat School grounds at Shaktinagar, where the sports competitions will be held. Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly N Yogish Bhat will inaugurate the sports meet. Cultural programmes will be held on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. at Saanidhya School. The closing ceremony will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m., he said.
Arrangements will be made for accommodation and to provide food to all participants and teachers from areas outside Mangalore. A sum of nearly Rs 8 lakh will be spent on the sports meet and necessary arrangements. Self-volunteers from 'Team Saathiya' and NSS will provide help and support during the three-day event, he added.
Vice-president of Saanidhya M B Devadatta Rao and treasurer Jagadish Shetty were present in the press conference.
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