Beyond the Tracks: Athletics meet creates an inclusive platform for rural girls

The 12th edition of the Rural Girls Athletics Meet (RGAM) concluded successfully at Anantapur Sports Village (ASV) on 4th October 2024. The event, organised by Anantapur Sports Academy (ASA), a sports for development initiative by the Rural Development Trust (RDT) aims to promote girls' participation in sports from rural areas.

The athletic competitions were held in two levels; area-level competitions and central-level competitions, in two age categories: U14 and U16.

The U14 age category included:

• 60m, 4x60m relay
• Shot Put
• Long Jump

The U16 age category included:

• 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay
• Long Jump
• Shot Put

Over 4,286 girls from 422 rural schools participated in the area-level competitions from 23rd July to August 20th covering 5 districts in Andhra Pradesh. The 380 qualified athletes from the area-level competitions were selected for the central-level competitions conducted from the 2nd to the 4th of October. This year, the Uravakonda region emerged as the regional champions with a total of 7 medals and 160 points over both the age categories.

The central-level competitions also created an inclusive platform by conducting track and field events including 100m, Shot Put, and Long Jump for more than 20 girls with disabilities under visual impairment and intellectual disability categories to encourage and mainstream disability sports among girls.

"The Rural Girls' Athletics Meet is not just a mere competition; it is a platform that empowers young girls from rural areas and sends a powerful message to all girls to push their limits and thrive. We are especially proud this year to have organised the event as an inclusive competition, incorporating track and field events for girls with disabilities," said Krishnaveni, RDT Uravakonda Regional Director, during the closing ceremony of the 12th Rural Girls' Athletics Meet.

After acknowledging the contributions of non-residential camps as 3 girls reached the state athletics competitions during last year, 30 outstanding athletes from these 380 athletes were selected for the upcoming non-residential inclusive athletics camps. The camps will be conducted at the Anantapur Sports Village and will aim to nurture their skills and provide a holistic learning platform for them to excel in life.

More than just a competition, the central-level Rural Girls Athletics Meets also created an opportunity for the girls to participate in various awareness and cultural activities. With the help of the RDT women’s sector and Bathalapalli Hospital Team, awareness sessions on topics like Children's Rights, Adolescence & Menstrual Health, and Health & Hygiene were conducted during the athletic competitions.

“I am very happy to have had the opportunity to come and participate in this event alongside many other girls. Within this short space of 2-3 days, girls have made many new friends coming from the other villages/districts. I enjoyed my three days here,” shares Vaishali, a student of the School for Inclusive Education, RDT, who won two bronze medals in 100 M running and long jump.

The 12th edition of the Rural Girls Athletics Meet concludes at ASV, but it also extends beyond as the RGAM brings the girls together to celebrate personal growth and community spirit through sports. As the girls carry forward the lessons of togetherness, teamwork, resilience and determination, Rural Girls Athletics accomplishes its true success.