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That's the spirit! Gifted kids on right track

An event for special kids was organised in Mumbai to encourage them kids take first step in making India a frontrunner in paralympics.

By :  Arun Venkatraman
Update: 2016-02-15 11:48 GMT
The day marked a special occasion in the lives of three event planners Manasi Mehta, Sejal Shah and Miloni Doshi. Not because it was the day of love, but because it was the culmination of a long-standing dream of theirs to conduct a one of a kind sporting event for special children in Mumbai and take the first step towards to making India a frontrunner in paralympic sports. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
10-year-old Sanjana Pore, who came with her teacher to the event says, “It was a lot of fun. All my friends were running and it was great to run with them.” And as for Sumit Shah, a 15-year-old suffering from mental retardation, losing in the race this year was only more motivation to do better the next time. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
Although the response has been exceptionally strong this year, Sejal and her team believe that the event will only grow from here on as not only the NGOs but also the children participated with great enthusiasm. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
Telling us about the response, Sejal adds, “The NGOs have really taken to the concept very well because many had been looking for an event like this but couldn't organise it on their own. When we approached them they were very happy. And the same goes for the children as well.” (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
Embodying this very spirit is Dattaram A Fonde, a veteran sports and athletics coach, who has taken upon himself the mantle of training these children. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
While the road to sporting glory is filled with daunting hurdles such as lack of support, training and facilities for these children, there is no challenge that is too big for those with grit and spirit. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
However, the intention behind the event is much more than that adds Sejal, who reveals, “Our aim is to make these children capable and confident enough to compete in events like the Paralympics one day. And this is just the start of that journey.” (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
With several well-known schools and NGOs in the city for special children participating in the event, it turned out to be a fun-filled field day for the children. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
The event is the brainchild of Sejal and Manasi, who came back to the country from the US and along with Miloni conceived Spirit 2016 with the aim of doing something for special children. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
Ishaan, who suffers from autism was among the more than 100 students who participated at the event, which included sports and games ranging from football to lemon and the spoon aimed at bringing out the best in these children. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
Take the case of 11-year-old Ishaan for example, who was adamant at the podium for the gold cup that comes with the first prize after finishing third in a race. While winner takes all' prevails in all regular races, Ishaan was immediately promised a cup by the organisers, not because he was adamant, but because he, along with everyone at the race, truly deserved it. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
And true to its name, Spirit 2016 aimed at celebrating the grit and courage of special children, for whom everyday is a race with inconceivable hurdles. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
And it was the result of this dream that gave form to Spirit 2016, a mega sporting event with more than 100 special and diffabled children from across several schools that took place at the Cooperage Football Ground in Fort this week. (Photo: DC/ Debasish Dey)
An event for special kids was organised in Mumbai to encourage them kids take first step in making India a frontrunner in paralympics.

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