More than 450 participants came together on a cloudy morning on last Sunday and ran barefoot to raise awareness on lack of shoes for children in rural areas, who want to enjoy the right to play like any other child in an urban area.
The first-of-its-kind 5K Barefoot Run culminated at the rural development organisation, Gram Vikas' head office at Mohuda village with a huge gathering cheering the winners and the participants for doing their bit in raising awareness on the issue that is holding back the grassroots sporting talent in the country. The unique run, which was part of the Khel Vikas movement that sport development organisation Pro4Sport Solutions has initiated with Gram
Vikas, witnessed participants ranging from a 4-year-old child to a 45-year-old professionals. The aim was to raise 1,500 pairs of shoes for children who are part of four rural schools of Gram Vikas. The race was flagged off by the Ganjam District Sports Officer (DSO) Akshaya Patnaik, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) BP Mohanto and Gram Vikas Executive Director Joe Madiath at Tamana village on Chikiti Road.