Chandigarh witnessed a celebration of resilience and sporting spirit as the Institute for the Blind officially commenced its much-anticipated Annual Sports Meet. The event, inaugurated on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Sports Complex in Sector 7, will span two days, concluding on December 6.
Inauguration and Encouraging Speeches
The sports meet was formally declared open by the Sports Director, Sorabh Kumar Arora, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was attended by students, faculty members, dedicated volunteers, and special guests. In his address, Institute Chairman Dinesh Kumar Kapila underscored the exceptional progress made by the students, especially in the realm of sports. He reaffirmed the institution's commitment to providing all necessary facilities for the holistic growth of its students and continuously enhancing its efforts to help them thrive in an evolving world.
Chief Guest Sorabh Kumar Arora commended the relentless hard work of the school management and expressed his delight at the students' accomplishments. He gave assurances that new facilities would be introduced and existing ones would be upgraded to better support the student community. Arora also offered assistance for the students' participation in additional sports disciplines, aiming to help them achieve even greater milestones.
Vibrant Ceremonies and Overwhelming Participation
The inauguration was marked by vibrant and symbolic ceremonies. The event began with a Torch Ceremony led by the school's best athletes, followed by a procession of other participants. The atmosphere was further energized by a special sports song, composed by Kuljit Kaur Sodhi and Rajesh Kumar Arya and performed by the school students. A captivating Zumba performance, also prepared by Kuljeet Kaur Sodhi, received enthusiastic applause from the audience. The formal opening was sealed with the release of colourful balloons into the sky by Arora.
A total of 168 students from the Institute are competing in the meet, participating across various age and gender categories. This includes athletes from the T11 and T12 classification groups. Adding to the supportive environment, the Institute welcomed 240 students from other schools, who visited in batches to cheer and motivate the blind athletes.
Essential Support System for the Athletes
The successful execution of the sports meet relies heavily on a robust support system. Throughout the competitions, trained guide runners are assisting the participants. This crucial support comes from 40 guide runners from KB DAV School, who have been partnering with the Institute for several years. Furthermore, the event's smooth operation is being managed by 60 officials and volunteers, alongside the school staff, office-bearers, and management members.
This annual event stands as a powerful testament to the capabilities and determination of visually impaired athletes, highlighting the importance of inclusive sports infrastructure and community support in Chandigarh.
