15-member contingent set to compete in World Games for Blind

A team of 15 visually challenged sportspersons is all geared up to take part in the 2015 IBSA World Games for the Blind to be held in Seoul from May 8-18.

The World Games are being hosted by Korean Blind Union with an expected participation of about 60 countries.

The Indian team includes a woman and the athletes come from Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Punjab. They have been selected on the basis of their performance at the 19th IBSA National Sports Meet for the Blind held in Delhi in December 2014 and Asian Para Games 2014.

Nine athletes will participate in track and field events, while one each will compete in swimming and powerlifting and four in Judo. The team is being sent under the aegis of Indian Blind Sports Association.

The team includes several international medal winners. Ram Karan, an Arjuna Awardee, is a silver medal winner in 800 m at Asian Para Games held in 2010 and 2014. He won two bronze medals in Antalya World Championships in 2011.

Experienced international athlete Rishi Kant Sharma won a silver medal 2011 Antalya World Games in Javelin. Shavaad, another runner, bagged bronze in the 2011 World Championships as well as Asia Para Games 2014.

The nine athletes are undergoing vigorous training at the pre-departure coaching camp here, organised by the Indian Blind Sports Association.