Satyanand Thakur and (right) Anurag Chandra after the race on Sunday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Dec. 4: Sport is one of the greatest levellers and it again came to the forefront today as some differently abled residents proved their mettle at a state-level meet.

Organised by Disabled Sports and Welfare Academy on the Miller High School premises, around 550 differently abled children and youngsters fought it out on the grounds. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi inau-gurated the competition.

The academy had 50m, 100m and 200m tricycle race and shot put events planned for the competitors.

The organisers were also thrilled with the response. “Around 550 people, including differently abled children and youngsters, took part in the state-level competition,” Suman Kumar, the secretary of Disabled Sports and Welfare Academy, told The Telegraph.

“The participants came from city-based non-government organisations that work for differently abled people. Participants also came from Ara, Jehanabad and Nalanda,” Suman said, adding that the winners would be announced on Monday.

On the objective of the state-level meet, Suman said: “The idea is to instil a sense of confidence among the differently abled children and youngsters. They should know they are in no way inferior to others. Given an opportunity, they would do a better job.”

Satyanand Thakur, 28, from Patna won the first competition for the day — the 100m tricycle race. He said: “Winning always makes one happy and I am experiencing it today.” He, however, rued the lack of policies for differently abled persons in the state.” Anurag Chandra, who took the second position at the event, said: “The state government does not provide travelling expenses to differently abled sportspersons when they go for events outside the state.”