PHOTO GALLERY

CHENNAI OLYMPICS

A sports meet for Special Children, titled Chennai Olympics, was conceived and organized by Parvathy Viswanath, founder-director of AIKYA, and the director of Tamilnadu chapter of Sivus International, and was held on January 25, 2003 at YMCA Grounds, Nandanam, Chennai. About 850 special children (Children with Downs Syndrome, Attention Deficit Syndrome, Slow-learning Disablity and Autism) from 25 Institutions of Chennai participated in the sports meet.

The theme of this event was "Sports - Recreation for some, therapy for others"

Systematic planning and introduction of sports enhances social aptitudes and physical well being of persons with special needs. This brings about the healthy outcome of instilling confidence in individuals, and it also leads to bringing about recognition of their ability by the community, and their transition into community life.

Two special children from Tamilnadu were trained through this program in soccer, and sent as representatives of Tamilnadu to take part in World Cup 2002 Soccer Championships held in Osaka, Japan, in August 2002 A sample of programs (reproduced from the vent brochure) is furnished below to convey the flavor of the events. 25 mt dash, bursting the balloon with hands & Hat race for children below 8 years.

50 mt dash, obstacle race, soft ball throw, for children 8 to 12 years of age.
100 mt running, obstacle race, blow and burst the balloon for children 12 to 16 years
100 mt .running, 50mt sack race & Shot put for all children above 16 years of age.
50 mt.dash, 100mt.walk for those above 35 years.
Some of the team games held were
Hand ball (boys), Basket ball (girls), Volleyball (mixed), soccer l - 5 a side (boys), and Volleyball for the visually- impaired.
The sports meet was inaugurated by Mr.Krishnamachari Srikkanth , ex- Cricket captain, India.

The meet was organized in the pattern of regular sports Olympics. It started with a march past by the Special children, carrying their repective school banners. The Olympic torch was lit by Mr.Srikkanth and handed over to the Special children who carried the torch and handed it over to the host school, AIKYA. Sadan of AIKYA carried the torch to the stand. Prabhu, another student of AIKYA, took the oath, which read as follows:

" We swear that we will take part in the Chennai Olympics in loyal competition
respecting the rules and regulations, and participate in the games in true spirit
and sportsmanship for the honour and glory of sports ".

The inaugural function was over with the ballons floated and doves released, and the meet was declared open by Mr.Srikkanth.

THE GAMES

There were totally 20 events in track and field and six team games. In each track and field there were 10 batches of 7 each. Each batch was given 1st 2nd and 3rd prizes.

Each child was allowed to take part in 3 events. Children with lower ability were given simple novelty events like sack race, balloon bursting etc. Children with higher ability took part in the track and field events with standards set at International levels.

On a special function held on 27th January 2003, at which Mr.Vijay Amritraj, former Indian tennis star, and a prominent official of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), felicitated the "Chennai Olympians".
This sports meet was supported by several organizations: MRF, Kappa trust, Indian Bank, IOB, Nestle, Images, SkyCell Communications, Pepsico Holdings, Britannia Biscuits, Rasna soft drinks, Bisleri industries.

ABILITY 2002

A mega talent competition ABILITY 2002 for Children with special needs, in various skill areas was organized on September 13 and 14, 2002. About 400 children from more than 25 institutions took part in the competitions.

These children included those with Downs syndrome, Autism, ADD, Cerebral Palsy, visual-and hearing - impairment and those with orthopaedic problems. And showcased were their oratorical skills, recitation, singing, dancing, painting, general knowledge and quizzing capabilities. The aim of these programs was to bring out the best in these special children and draw society's attention to their unsuspected capabilities, means by which we endeavour to enhance these children's possible gainful employment possibilities.

Around 200 students - cerebral palsied, autistic, Downs Syndrome, and slow learners- took part in competitions of recitation from Athichudi, Tirukkural and the like on the 13th.Other events scheduled for that day were singing, dancing, painting and general knowledge tests.

A like number, about 200, participated in the next day's events,on the 14th. The day was devoted to students with visual and hearing impairment and physical disabilities, and the events held that day included short speeches from the students on pollution and non use of plastics, apart from singing, dancing and drawing competitions.

CARNIVAL 2001

A mega talent competition CARNIVAL 2001 for Children with special needs, in various skill areas was organized in September 2001. About 600 children from more than 25 institutions took part in the competitions.

These children included those with Downs syndrome, Autism, ADD, Cerebral Palsy, visual-and hearing - impairment and those with orthopaedic problems. And showcased were their oratorical skills, recitation, singing, dancing, painting, general knowledge and quizzing capabilities. The aim of these programs was to bring out the best in these special children and draw society's attention to their unsuspected capabilities, means by which we endeavour to enhance these children's possible gainful employment possibilities.