News
Kerala’s 1st wheelchair marathon at Koyilandy aims to enable inclusion of disabled people
Wheelchair users are not confining to their homes anymore. They are coming out to explore the world and become a part of the society in every way. On February 2, the Koyilandy Palliative Care organised a first-of-its-kind event the city. Over 20 wheelchair users from different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu participated in the Wheelchair Marathon grand event. The determination and confidence with which the participants completed the marathon was truly a sight to behold.
A first time event in Kerala
Koyilandy Pallative Care, an NGO that operates from Koyilandy town in Kerala, is a prominent organisation. Since the last twelve years, they have been organising annual events for disabled people. This year, their initiative was named ‘Qissa’. The three-day event proved to be a grand success. The marathon was held as part of the campus initiative ‘Nest’. Participants dropped in from Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur.
Abdur Rahman, who was the Program Convenor says that both the participants and audience thoroughly enjoyed the marathon.
A successful wheelchair marathon
The Wheelchair Marathon was held for over 3 kms on the national highway in Koyilandy. The event got over in 20 minutes with contestants putting up their best show. Wheelchair Marathon was flagged off by sprint legend PT Usha. Prizes were handed over by Koyilandy Municipal Chairman K Satyan. Manoj Kumar, a para sportsperson and wheelchair user from Coimbatore was the winner of the marathon.
What made the event even more special is the support rendered by over 200 students from colleges across Kerala. All of them came together to cheer for the participants and also help those who need it.
“This was a great initiative because disabled people must come out of their homes. They must start participating in such initiatives. We are definitely organising this next year as well”, says Riyas NP who was the convenor of the marathon.
Also Read: Disability doesn’t deter these Gujarat village girls from playing cricket
(The article was first published on newzhook)