Ampati, Dec 3: Klingson Marak, a 26 years old visually impaired international football player from Rongsepgre village in South West Garo Hills, is a former captain of the Indian Blind Football team at Indian Blind Football Federation. He has played many International matches held across the globe. Recently, he played Asian Championship and he will be playing at Paralympics, which is to be held in China, next year.
Jebilbang M Sangma, a 24 years old from Rongbakgre village, is also an International Football player at Indian Blind Football Federation. He has also played many International matches.
The two were present to share their inspiring journeys to the international stage despite the challenges at a programme by District Social Welfare Office to celebrate the International Day for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at Gandhipara in South West Garo Hills (SWGH) on Saturday. The celebration was themed “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world”.
Sharing his motivating story, Klingson encouraged the PWDs present to not get hindered by physical inabilities. Jebilbang, on the other hand, presented a self composed song urging parents to love their children, who are differently abled, without any discrimination.
As part of the celebration, aids and appliances including customized wheelchairs, smart phones, elbow crutches etc were distributed to identified PWDs from the district by A.V.D. Shira, ADC incharge Social Welfare Department along with other officials, who also distributed prizes to the winners of various sports and games organized for the PWDs, while blankets were distributed as gifts to all the PWDs present on the occasion.
In her address as the chief guest, Shira said every person has a disability of different kinds and every person with disability is gifted with special talents. She said this day is being celebrated to acknowledge their rights and talents, and assured all support and assistance to any of the PWDs who are marginalized or forsaken by society and families.
Medical & Health Officer in-charge Garobadha CHC, Dr. Timchida Marak highlighted on the activities, exercise and diet for health and wellness of PWDs including their mental health.
