India hosts International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports federation games

From DNA:

Around 800 athletes from 43 countries have arrived in Bangalore for the IWAS (International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports federation) Games that were inaugurated on Nov. 24. The Games opened Nov. 24 (pictured) by Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, while former prime minister HD Deve Gowda will preside over the function.

Among the assembled athletes are world record holders and world champions, each of them a testimony to superhuman courage and self-belief. Never before has the city seen anything remotely like it; and not in a long time will it see its like again.

Several cabinet ministers will attend the ceremony at the Sree Kanteerava stadium. The opening ceremony will consist of marching bands from a school, NCC cadets, and squads from MEG and Karnataka State Police. Meanwhile, the Iran team pulled out of the event citing the swine flu threat, and instead sent a team of officials.

Eleven events will be held from Nov 25 to Dec 1. These include: athletics, archery, sitting volleyball, table tennis, wheelchair rugby, badminton, golf, powerlifting, wheelchair fencing, shooting and swimming. Sitting volleyball and rugby will be demonstration sports.