• Dr. C. Durai
• Dr. Harish Padinjarethil

In spite of all the developments happening in the world of sports, still there are many grey areas to be covered in terms of promoting participation of physically and mentally challenged people. The purpose of this study was to examine the approach of society towards the participation of specially challenged people in sports. This study is an honest effort made by the researcher in finding out the behaviour of Pune Society towards participation of persons with physical or mental disabilities in sporting events. To go ahead with the current investigation, a district level swimming competition was being organized in association with the Pune District Amateur Aquatics Federation (PDAAF). The events were conducted in various age categories, open category and for specially abled. The special event was organized for specially abled people in the categories Deaf, Mentally Challenged and Physically Challenged. The tournament was promoted all over the district covering 60-70 swimming pools. The primary data was collected in the form of survey conducted on 55 sports enthusiasts using structured questionnaire which was filled-in through direct face-to-face interaction and also through google forms. The subjects were delimited to non-students in the age group above 21 years who were associated to sports in one or the other way. The results revealed that one-third of the society are not yet aware about such sporting events and 90% of the people have never been associated with such events but are willing to volunteer or sponsor such events. This research helps us to conclude that conducting more events for physically and mentally challenged, starting from grass-root level, is the only way forward to promote participation of specially abled people in sporting events. In a nutshell, it is highly essential to conduct counselling sessions to nurture such talents.

Physically Challenged: -Societal, Specially Abled, Sporting Events, Physically Challenged, Mentally Challenged

"SOCIETAL APPROACH TOWARDS SPORTING EVENTS FOR SPECIALLY ABLED", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no.189-194, May-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905V83.pdf

"SOCIETAL APPROACH TOWARDS SPORTING EVENTS FOR SPECIALLY ABLED", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 5, page no. pp189-194, May-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905V83.pdf