Olly Plays Host To Cricketer Zafar Iqbal, Para Athlete Jayanti Behera & Divyang Children

Bhubaneswar: As the world got together today to promote an understanding of issues regarding disability in people and mobilize support for their dignity, rights and well-being, gold medalist at the world Para Athletics Junior Championships Jayanti Behera and captain of the Indian blind cricket team Zafar Iqbal were invited to grace an event during the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup at Kalinga Stadium here on Monday.

This year, the theme focused on empowering differently-abled people, ensuring inclusiveness and equality. Which is why, along with the two prominent personalities, 38 children from Aaina, an NGO that recognizes the rights of children and commits to facilitate their realization through appropriate participatory programme interventions, leading to a non-discriminatory society, were seen at the stands as well.

Children from the project areas of Kandhamal, Ganjam and Dhenkanal district were here to witness the hockey match and also celebrate the International Day of People With Disabilities by playing with World Cup’s friendly mascot, Olly. There were totally 38 contingents, among which were 29 children and youth with disabilities – 16 children with autism and intellectual impairment and 13 physically-challenged persons, including two wheelchair users.

Through this initiative, the Odisha government aimed to raise awareness about the disabilities.