ONGC organises 3-day Para Games for specially-abled employees
ONGC has taken a new leap in inclusivity with a unique corporate initiative – ONGC Para Games from December 19 to 21. With this, it has become one of the first corporates to provide a platform that promotes participation of specially abled employees in various sports and showcases their talents.
The 3-day event will witness participation from 120 employees — 100 men and 20 women with disabilities from 16 work centers across the country. The first ONGC Para Games is majorly focused on athletics, badminton and table tennis. The participants belong to different categories of disabilities, including VH (Visually Impaired), HH (Hearing Impaired) and OH (Orthopedically Handicapped).
The events are categorised into 8 sub categories based on gender, age and disability. A total of 46 events will be held in the 3 days extravaganza, which comprises of 5 categories in badminton, 3 in table tennis, 4 in wheelchair and 34 in athletics. It also includes 100 metre, 200 metre , 400 metre, 2 Km walk, long jump and discus throw.
Speaking on the occasion, Shashi Shanker, CMD-ONGC said, “ONGC is committed to ensure social inclusiveness and providing equal opportunities in employment for the specially abled, in line with the Government of India’s mandate, for which various measures are being put in place.” He also added that ONGC currently employs 282 people with disabilities with more likely to join the organisation.
ONGC has been at the forefront of promoting sports among various sections of the society with a dedicated corporate sports function that caters to the requirements of sportspersons at grassroot level. Many world-class sportspersons in different game disciplines have been spotted, nurtured and supported through its structured initiatives. Today more than 170 international sportspersons are on its rolls representing the country in various sports. Not only that, they have brought laurels to the country in Olympics, Commonwealth Games and various international stages of individual games.