Agency 21 sponsored the country’s and the world’s first ever 6 kilometer Marathon of visually impaired youth in Rawalpindi on 10 Jan 2021. District administration supported the event and Guinness Book of World Records was also invited to note this historical activity to be included in their next edition.
More than 90 visually impaired youth and other persons participated in the marathon that is the biggest number in the history of the world. They were awarded cash prizes of first 40 thousand second 30 thousand and third 20 thousand each. Director Agency 21 Mr Sharjeel Ahmer, Youth activist Eyab Ahmed Abbasi were also present at the occasion.
Sharjeel Ahmer says that we have sponsored this activity to encourage the blind people to live an active life where they need not be dependent upon others but become beneficial citizens of the society.
He appreciated the Administration of Rawalpindi, Deputy Commissioner Anwar ul Haq ,Sports association in hosting the marathon and in this way conveying the message of participation to those who are mostly taken as burden by their own families.
District Sports Officer Mr Shams Tauheed appreciated the efforts of the participants and said that Guinness Book of World Records is in contact with Rawalpindi Administration to register the event in their record.
Deputy Commissioner Captain R Anwar ul Haq said that the main activity that made it a historical event was the marathon of blind people. Everyone in the society is supposed to support special persons. We are always ready to facilitate the organizations and companies that intend to hold such activities. More important than the world record is that our special persons are full of determination and enthusiasm.
Other than blinds , open and under 16 marathons were also part of this event. The winners in these categories were also awarded with cash prizes.
The open category consisted of 16 km while the blind and under-16 categories were of 6 km.
The race for the open category commenced from T-Chowk, Rawat while blind and under 16 from Morgah and conclude at Liaquat Bagh Sports Complex.
In 2016, a couple took part in a marathon held in London, while in 2006, a two-kilometre long race for the visually impaired was held in Lahore.
Tazeen Akhtar
