Nadiad, Gujarat, December , 2024: The 23rd Usha National Athletics Championship for the Blind, India’s largest sports event for visually challenged athletes, came to a successful conclusion today at The Sports Complex, Nadiad. The event saw spirited participation from over 400 visually impaired athletes from across the country including Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Daman & Diu.
The championship, organized biennially by the Indian Blind Sports Association (IBSA), showcased exceptional talent across disciplines such as chess, field sports, and relay races. The Team Championships were won by the following states in different categories.
Category
Team Championships
Men T11 & F11
Tamil Nadu
Men T12 & F12
Gujarat
Men T13 & F13
Uttarakhand
Women T11 & F11
Chandigarh
Women T12 & F12
Maharashtra
Women T13 & F13
Madhya Pradesh
Mr David Absalom, Honorary General Secretary of the Indian Blind Sports Association, lauded the determination and skill displayed by the athletes, emphasizing their inspiring journey and commendable performances in every category. He said, “This year’s championship is particularly significant as it marked a historic shift in its format, with participation from entire states instead of affiliates for the first time. This change underscores our commitment to inclusivity and growing the platform for participation by blind athletes in India. Every participant is a winner here and we are confident many will go ahead to win laurels for the country.”
New National and Meet Records Set!
Event
Record Breaker
State
New Record
MENS T-12 400m Run
Naveen Surla
Andhra Pradesh
Meet Record & National Record
MENS T-12 5000m Run
Saurabh Sharma
Himachal Pradesh
Meet Record
WOMENS T-12 400m Run
Tejal Damor Amraji
Gujarat
Meet Record & National Record
WOMENS T-12 Long Jump
Tejal Damor Amraji
Gujarat
Meet Record & National Record
WOMENS T-13 Shot Put
Chetnaben Galch Ratabhai
Gujarat
Meet Record & National Record
Raval Komalben Chandui
Gujarat
National Record
WOMENS T-13 Discus Throw
Chetnaben Galch Ratabhai
Gujarat
Meet Record & National Record
WOMENS T-13 Javelin Throw
Chetnaben Galch Ratabhai
Gujarat
Meet Record & National Record
Ms Komal Mehra, Head – Sports Initiatives and Associations, USHA International, shared her thoughts on the occasion, saying, “Sports is a unifying force and a powerful medium to enable and empower the differently abled. Usha’s long-standing association with the National Athletics Championship for the Blind and IBSA reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible sports ecosystem that promotes active and healthy living for all. This Championship celebrates the extraordinary spirit and potential of visually challenged athletes, leaving an indelible mark on India’s sports landscape and setting a precedent for inclusive sportsmanship.”
Usha International’s support for the National Athletics Championship for the Blind is part of its broader commitment to promote a diverse range of inclusive sports and initiatives across the country. These include collaborations with organizations like the Mumbai Indians, as well as support for sports such as Ultimate Flying Disc, Football, Golf, and cricket for differently abled athletes. The brand is at the forefront of reviving traditional Indian sports like Mallakhamb, Siat Khnam, Chhinj, Saz-Loung, Dah Fang, Thang-Ta, Turai Kar, Kalaripayattu, Satoliya, Silambam, Yoga, and Gatka – exemplifying its commitment to encouraging inclusivity in sports.
For more information, visit www.usha.com, and follow @USHAPlay on Twitter, @USHA_play on Instagram and Usha Play on Facebook.
