November 19, 2001
'10’INDIA TO HOST 6TH INTERNATIONAL ABILYMPICS
The Sixth International Abilympics will be held in New Delhi in 2003 to highlight the vocational skills of the persons with the disabilities. This was stated at a Press conference which was addressed by the Secretary Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri C. Gopal Reddy, Secretary, Secondary and Higher Education (HRD Ministry) Shri M.K. Kaw and Secretary General Abilympic Association of India Dr. Uma Tuli here today. Dr. Tuli said that about 3000 participants from 50 countries are expected to participate in the Abilympics India. She said that there will be vocational skills contest in 45 events. Dr. Tuli said that the Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment and Human Resource Development will give financial and infrastructural support. She said that the Delhi Government has agreed to provide 200 barrier-free buses for transporting the participants. These buses will be later pressed into service as part of the DTC fleet. She said the venue of the Abilympics the Talkatora Indoor Stadium is being made barrier-free with the help of experts. Shri Gopal Reddy said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will finance 50 percent of the expenditure of the international event. Shri Kaw said that the Human Resource Development Ministry which is specially focussing on vocational training of the people with disabilities, is happy to associate itself with the Abilympics.The Chairman of the National Abilympics Association of India General Narender Singh said that regional competitions for the mega event are already underway. He said that 1000 physically and mentally challenged people participated in the Southern and Eastern zone competitions held at Chennai and Calcutta last month. General Narender Singh said that the Northern and Central zone competitions will be held in New Delhi from November 27 to 24th, 2001 while West zone competitions will he held at Ahmedabad at the end of this month. He said the winners of each region will participate in the National Abilympics to be held in New Delhi in November 2002. The final winners in each skill will constitute the 100 strong contingent that will represent India at the 6th International Abilympics.
The first international abilympics was held in Japan in 1981 followed by a similar event after every four years in Columbia, Hongkong, Australia and Czech Republic.