MUMBAI: The 1st ever, Blind Marathon, a special run only for Visually Impaired in India is being organised in Mumbai on January 5. Sponsorship proposals invited from corporate and philanthropists for mega event to to support and take competitive advantage.
The Road to light initiative will witness over 200 visually impaired athletes achieve the unthinkable, with a run specially designed for them. The event is organized on the occasion of World Braille Day, informed Ramakant Satam, Executive Council Member, Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM).
Supported by Brand Ambassador actor and philanthropist John Abraham and backed by National Association for Blind (NAB) India and Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM). 200 visually impaired sprinters with accomplish a 5km run, each with a guide running beside them. Spectators can witness the historic flag- off and the entire run on a large LED screens, against the glorious morning sky at Worli Sea-face.
The event is specially hosted for all the blind individuals to boost their athletic spirit. It starts and finishes at NAB Worli covering the grand and famous landmarks of Mumbai Worli Sea face. The first edition is expected to reach upto 1 Crore people via various communication medium.
The thought behind organizing such an event is completely philanthropic and the organizers are keen on training the winners of the marathon to mark their participation at national level athletics and also Paralympics. Every participant is honored with a certificate and medal on completion.
This day is observed in order to raise awareness of the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people. Through this event we would
like to pass on a message of optimism, of hope, of good cheer, and of loving service.
“Energies will be further pumped with music and other cultural performances, also by the other members of the visually impaired community. It’s the perfect way for families to spend their Sunday morning and make a difference to the society.”, said Rusen Kumar, advisor, Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM).
The first of a string such innovative initiative, the Vision Run is not just a run. It is the initial step towards a programme that encourages athletes, trains them and gives them the platform to further themselves competitively. The initiative is planned to be an ongoing series of runs, marathons and training modules that empower visually impaired athletes to be on par with other professional athletes.
The sprinters will be exposed to state-of-the-art gear and facilities especially designed to coach the visually impaired and guided by the veterans of the field.
An initiative by NAB and CABM, it is intended to create a desire in the hearts and minds of these participants, to make not just running, but sports itself a way of life. The initiative also aims to emphasize the spirit of equality with the able bodied at National and International levels across the
world, while also promoting fitness among the visually impaired.
NAB is one of the largest voluntary organization established in the year 1952. For over 6 decades it has pioneered in serving visually impaired children to old age people. CABM is dedicated to the promotion of cricket for the blind in Maharashtra and organizes various coaching and cricket training.
Download sponsorship proposal and information brochure. Call or write for more detail:
Ramakant Satam, Executive Council Member, +91 9324288877, ramakantsatam@yahoo.com / sports@nabindia.info
