NEW DELHI (India CSR): National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) has kicked off Phase 2 of the Regional and National Abilympics Skill Competitions & Conferences 2025, a nationwide drive to identify, train, and empower Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) for the 11th International Abilympics 2027 in Finland. Spearheaded by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and Sarthak Educational Trust, with support from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, TPCDT and IndusInd Bank, this initiative is reshaping how the nation views disability—not as a limitation, but as a reservoir of untapped potential.
Expanded Skill Categories
Following the success of Phase 1, which saw strong participation across 15 skill categories, Phase 2 introduces 15 new categories spanning high-demand industries such as IT, hospitality, fashion, Arts & Crafts. The competitions and conferences will be held across four zones in India: the South Zone event will take place on 20–21 June at IIT Madras, Chennai; the West Zone on 4–5 July at World Trade Centre, Mumbai; the North Zone on 1–2 August at Atal Convention Centre, Lucknow; and the East/Northeast Zone on 22–23 August at Kalakshetra, Guwahati. These platforms are not only for showcasing talent but also for fostering economic inclusion, confidence, and career opportunities for PwDs.
Olympics of Abilities
Known as the Olympics of Abilities, the Abilympics serves as a global platform for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to demonstrate their vocational skills and showcase their ability to compete on both national and international levels.
New Career Paths
Among the newly introduced skill categories are Hairdressing, Massage, Fashion Design, Manicure, Baking & Pastry Arts, Cleaning Services, Character Designing, Engineering Design, Photography Studio, Desktop Publishing, Basket Making, Crochet & Hand Knitting. These were selected to align with the final skills decided by Abilympics Finland for International competitions in 2027.
Empowerment Through Skills
“This is not just a competition—it’s a launchpad for career transformation. NAAI’s vision for the 11th International Abilympics in Finland is rooted in empowerment, inclusivity, and excellence. Through strategic planning, collaborative partnerships and dedicated training initiatives, NAAI aims to position Indian participants as formidable contenders on the global stage.” said Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary-General NAAI and Founder & CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust. “With the new categories, we are unlocking creative, and tech-forward careers for PwDs. It’s about building lives, not just skills. As we celebrate various Abilympic achievements of PwDs, we remain focused on our core mission of empowering 10 million PwDs and ensuring sustainable employment opportunities for over 0.2 million individuals across India by 2027.”
Inclusive Skill Platform
The initiative aligns directly with the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) implemented by DEPwD. It focuses on customized skill development, recognition of prior learning, and accessible training platforms—epitomized by Sarthak’s inclusive GyanSarathi e-learning portal, India’s first of its kind for PwDs.
India’s Global Success
The Abilympics movement has long been a symbol of resilience and capability. In the last Abilympics held in Metz France 2023 – 13 participants represented India in 12 skills and won 7 medals (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze and 1 medal of Excellence), placing India in the 7th position amongst 27 participating nations in the overall medals tally. Chetan Pashilkar Gold medallist in France 2023 in Painting & Waste Reuse skill category shared “The comprehensive training provided by the experts engaged by NAAI was a significant milestone in enhancing my skills and achieving the pinnacle of excellence, ultimately enabling me to win a medal for India.” P. Sai Krishnan, Silver Medalist at the 2007 Japan Abilympics and Certificate of Excellence award at the 2016 France Abilympics in Photography, further shared, “Abilympics is a movement to bring out the ability, rather than getting bogged down by disability. It introduced us to the latest vocational tech, fueled confidence, and gave us a sense of belonging in the mainstream economy.”
Road to Finland
As the journey to Finland unfolds, NAAI remains steadfast in its mission to champion the abilities and aspirations of every individual, regardless of their challenges, leading them to bring glory for themselves and India. With strategic planning, expert training, and strong partnerships, NAAI is building a powerful platform for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to compete globally and bring pride to India.
Movement of Empowerment
With support from government bodies, corporates and the PwD community, NAAI and Sarthak are not just building a national contingent—they are igniting a national movement. One that declares powerfully: Disability is not inability. Talent deserves a global stage. And Abilympics is that stage.
(India CSR)
