Latest news with #PwD-friendly
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Trichy para sports arena opens sans special coaches
Trichy: A Rs1 crore para sports arena developed by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has been opened at the district sports complex in Khajamalai in Trichy city. While it is user friendly for persons with disability (PwD) and touted to help para athletes participate in international events such as Paralympics, SDAT is not sure about appointing special coaches for the arena. The arena is spread over about 3,200 square feet of floor space in the 37.5-acre district sports complex on Race Course road. A sports kit storage room and administrative office room have been provided. The para sports arena was proposed for Trichy as well as in a few other cities outside Chennai as part of making sports infrastructure inclusive. It also took into account the medals secured by several para athletes from the state in Paralympics 2024 held in Paris. Two multi-purpose courts equipped with PwD-friendly access and rest rooms have been commissioned in the arena. Sports officials said that at least seven para games including para handball, para badminton, judo, para goalball, boccia, and para table tennis could be played there. Stone seats are provided around the courts and a metal roof has covered the arena to allow players use the arena in all weather conditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Malaysians don't know about this! iOS Credit Read More Undo However, SDAT said that special coaches to train para athletes have not been appointed to provide training. "We welcome the modern facility built at Rs1 crore, but the govt could have also sanctioned funds to appoint special coaches to attract youths with disabilities to take up training for any of the seven para sports," K C Neelamegam, state treasurer, Makkal Sakthi Iyakkam, said. SDAT sources said that para athletes for now can make use of the arena, but they did not assure whether special coaches will be appointed in the near future. "A few PwD athletes are being trained along with other athletes. We don't have separate coaches to provide training for para athletes," an official source in SDAT said. Since nearby districts like Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Pudukottai will also benefit from the arena, sports enthusiasts said that coaching should be made available in the facility. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Barnama
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Lack Of Platform Barriers Among Causes Of LRT Incidents involving PWDs
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The absence of platform barriers at Light Rail Transit (LRT) stations has been identified as one of the contributing factors to incidents involving passengers, particularly persons with disabilities (PwDs). Transport Minister Anthony Loke said earlier-generation rail stations, especially LRT stations, were designed without physical barriers between platforms and trains, unlike newer facilities such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations which are fully equipped with safety systems. 'So, Prasarana is now looking into proposals to install (barriers) between the platform and the tracks. Although it may not be possible to close the entire gap completely, we aim to minimise it by placing a barrier between the platform and the tracks. 'Implementing this (installation of barriers at older stations) would require significant expenditure because it involves redesigning all these rail stations, and it would also take a considerable amount of time,' he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut), who asked about the main weaknesses identified following the tragic death of a visually impaired man who fell and was run over by a train at the Wangsa Maju LRT Station last February. Loke said that, for now, auxiliary police personnel have been stationed at the affected stations and are trained to be more alert and sensitive to the needs of the PwD community to prevent such incidents from recurring. He said the government remains committed to improving accessibility and inclusiveness within the public transportation system, including upgrading PwD-friendly facilities currently underway, and installing lifts at older and rural Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) stations. 'Rail service operators also continuously provide training to their frontline staff to assist and facilitate the needs of PwD passengers. This is to ensure that appropriate assistance is delivered professionally, empathetically, and efficiently,' he said. He was replying to the original question from Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera), who inquired about ongoing efforts to improve accessibility for PwD users in utilising public transport.
