Abilympics (Olympics of Abilities) are vocational skills competitions, specifically designed for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), to enable them to display their unique talent. The first Abilympics competition was held in Tokyo in 1981 to commemorate the United Nations’ International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP). Abilympics now takes place every four years, governed under the International Abilympic Federation (IAF), with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. In India, National Abilympics Association of India (NAAI) and Sarthak Educational Trust have taken a pioneering step in organizing the competitions. In collaboration with National Abilympics Association of India (NAAI) , Sarthak Educational Trust will organize National Abilympics from June – August 2019 at different locations in India.
Upcoming Regional Abilympics 2019
Sarthak and NAAI will be organizing vocational skill Regional competitions, with the support of The Hans Foundation, in 10 new skill trades as follows:
- ICT/Computers – Desktop Publishing; Character Designing (Cartoon); E-Sports (Gaming).
- Crafts – Floral Arrangement
- Food – Bakery; Cooking
- Services – Tailoring; Jewelry Making; Beauty & Wellness
- Industry – CAD Architecture.
The Regional events in all zones comprises: Inaugural Ceremony and Regional Conference, National competitions, Job Fairs for PwDs followed by Valedictory session and awards ceremony.
Regional Abilympics 2019 – Plan
West Zone: Mumbai (June 14 – 15, 2019) – World Trade Centre
North Zone: Delhi (July 4 – 5, 2019) – Lady Irwin College
South Zone: Chennai (July 19 – 20, 2019) – VRC, Guindy
East Zone: Kolkata (August 9 – 10, 2019)
The competitions have been internationally held in Perth, Australia (1995) Prague, The Czech Republic (2000), New Delhi, India (2003), Shizuoka, Japan (2007), Seoul, South Korea (2011), and Bordeaux, France (2016), to enrich disabled persons’ lives by training and encouraging them to pursue their utmost potential.
National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and Sarthak Education Trust organize Abilympics
The National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) was formed in May 2001, at the behest of Ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment (MSJE) and Human Resource Development (HRD), Government of India. NAAI was launched basically to organize India’s participation in the 6th Abilympics, held in New Delhi (2003), and in the subsequent international events. These competitions are organized once in every four years.
On December 12, 2016, Sarthak Educational Trust, officially took over National Abilympic Association of India. This remarkable association between NAAI and Sarthak paves the way for more inclusive approach owing to Sarthak’s Pan-India presence and strong support system of wide group of stakeholders (Government Agencies, Corporate Bodies, Civil Society, and PwDs).
NAAI and Sarthak collaborated with World Skills India (National Skill Development Corporation), under the ambit of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), to jointly host Regional and National Abilympic competitions for PwDs, to select the best talent for International Abilympics scheduled to be held in China, 2020.
Milestones
- Regional competitions 2018
The Regional and National competitions were conducted in following 10 skill trades under ICT, Crafts and Food –
- ICT/Computers – Data Processing; Word Processing/English Text Processing;Creating Web Pages; Poster Designing; Computer Programming and Photography
- Crafts – Embroidery; Waste Reuse and Painting
- Food – Restaurant Service
More than 1400 attendees took part in the Regional events organized in all four zones, of which 430 were participants, 70 escorts, 25 officials, 80 volunteers, 20 Judges, more than 850 job aspirants and about 40 guests. Overall, there were 26 Gold Medallists, 30 Silver Medallists and 25 Bronze Medalists. from all Zones.
- National Competitions 2018 National Abilympic competitions were organized alongwith World Skills India competitions, from October 2-6, 2018 in Aerocity Ground, New Delhi. It was for the first time competitions of Divyangjan and Non-Divyangjan were held together as an inclusion initiative. The events were graced by more than 15000 attendees form different locations across India.
NAAI had its representation through 50 participants, 25 escorts, 10 Officials, 10 volunteers, 13 Judges and many guests. There were 9 Gold, 8 Silver and 9 Bronze medal winners from different states across India.
- NAAI’s presence in World Skills Asia Event 2018 The recent collaboration with World Skills India and joint hosting of national event has proved
to be a huge boost to the Abilympic movement, as NAAI was invited by World Skills Asia to demonstrate the unique skills and talents of persons with disabilities during their event held in Abu Dhabi from 26th to 29th November, 2018.
More than 20 Asian countries including Chinese Taipei, UAE, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and many others participated in the event, to showcase their talent in 17 trades.
During the event, NAAI participant also demonstrated the skills garnering huge attention and appreciation from the visitors. Delegations from Japan, Korea and many other countries were some of the main dignitaries who witnessed the NAAI pavilion and appreciated the talent and achievements of NAAI.
