IWAS World Games 2009
24th November 2009

The IWAS World Games attracted 700 participants from 44 countries to Bangalore, India. The teams were treated to a magnificent Opening Ceremony on 24th November 2009 staged at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore. The biggest cheer during the march past was received for the Indian team having 236 members and the scene was set with a firework display and a large cultural ceremony including traditional dancing, drum performance and 660 pupils from Bishop Cotton Boys School performing a Michael Jackson dance was just a great show.

There will now be competitions running in athletics, archery, badminton, fencing, powerlifting, table tennis and swimming. The additional two sports of wheelchair rugby and sitting volleyball are concentrating on development objectives providing all necessary information on how to develop the sports in respective countries.

Thanks to the Indian Paralympic Committee (PCI) Solidarity Programme athletes from Nepal, Philippines and Belarus can participate. “The main aim of the Solidarity Programme is to enable developing countries participation so that they could bring the experience from Games and different sports back home and thus develop the sport activities for physically challenged at national level” said Maura Strange, IWAS Secretary General.

Ramachandra Gowda, minister for medical education, declared the meet open and wished all the athletes enjoyable games. Gooloihatti D Shekar, minister of sport, Rathan Singh, president of Indian Paralympic Committee and M Mahadeva, PCI Secretary General were present as well as IWAS Dignitaries all of whom extended their appreciation of supporters, technical & classification experts & the many volunteers recruited locally to make these Games happen.

For more information see http://www.paralympicindia.org.in/iwas/