The West Zone Regional Abilympics 2025 recently concluded in Mumbai, showcasing the diverse skills of 67 participants with disabilities from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Goa. These individuals competed across 15 vocational trades, ranging from ICT to hospitality and craft.
A total of 26 medals were awarded, including 10 Gold, nine Silver, and seven Bronze. These winners will now proceed to the National Abilympics in Gurugram in November, to reach the global stage in Finland in 2027.
The Abilympics, known as the “Work Skill Olympics for People with Disabilities,” is a joint effort by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) and Sarthak Educational Trust. The event highlighted talent over sympathy, with participants proving their abilities in areas like engineering design and cake decoration.
Winners from Various Abilympics 2025 Categories
- ICT: Rupa Dhanjibhai from Surat won Gold in engineering design.
- Craft: Artists from Pune secured wins in the Crochet and Painting categories.
- Hospitality: Manohar Nadimetal from Pune won Gold in cleaning services.
- Patisserie: Kashif from Mumbai clinched Gold.
- Services: Amisha Varia from Vadodara won in Hairdressing, and Bhavesh from Jaipur excelled in massage.
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A job fair took place on the second day, following the competition. Recruiters from companies like Zepto, Yes Bank, and Barbeque Nation interviewed candidates, focusing on employment opportunities.
Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt attended the closing ceremony. Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, founder of Sarthak and NAAI, stressed the importance of providing real work opportunities for these skilled individuals. With 64% of India’s 2.68 crore persons with disabilities unemployed, the event served as a call for action toward greater inclusion and employment.
