The West Zone Regional Abilympics 2025 concluded with resounding success at the World Trade Centre, Mumbai, as the event spotlighted 67 participants with disabilities competing in 15+ vocational skill categories. Organized by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) in collaboration with Sarthak Educational Trust and supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), TPCDT, WTC and IndusInd Bank, the competition culminated in a grand celebration of ability, skill, and determination.
Across two days, the West Zone Regional Abilympics 2025 witnessed inspiring participation from 67 skilled persons with disabilities (PwDs) from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Goa competed in trades/skills such as ICT, Craft, Hospitality, and Services. As the jury announced the results, 26 participants were awarded medals—10 Gold, 9 Silver, and 7 Bronze—marking the next milestone on the road to Abilympics Finland 2027. Their performances reflected not only their talent and preparation, but also the diversity of disabilities represented — including Hearing Impaired (HI), Locomotor Disability (LD), Intellectual Disability (ID), and Visual Impairment (VI).
In the ICT trade, Engineering Designing saw a standout performance by Rupa Dhanjibhai Bhanushree from Surat (LD), who won Gold. Sumit Yadav from Mumbai (LD) won Silver, and Vinod Kumar from Raichur (HI) took home Bronze. In Desktop Publishing, Hardik Shah from Pune (HI) clinched Gold, while Karan Tanna (LD) and Gaurav Patel from Ahmedabad (HI) secured Silver and Bronze respectively. The Photography (Studio) category was dominated by Pune, with Karuna Dattatray (HI) and Vivek Yeralkar (VI) winning Gold and Silver. In Character Design, Kishore Mohite (HI) and Avinash Avhad (HI), both from Pune and Mumbai respectively, won Gold and Silver.
The Craft trade celebrated artistic expression. In Crochet, Pune’s Sonali Shinde (HI), Harshada Adhikari (HI), and Shital Patrod Gaikwad (HI) swept Gold, Silver, and Bronze respectively. In Painting & Decoration, the top three medals were awarded to Yoghesh Ganesh More (HI), Irfan Pirjada (HI), and Ajit Karade (HI) — all from Pune. Basket Making and Hand Knitting did not see any medalists this year but saw commendable participation.
In the Hospitality trade, the Cleaning Services category awarded Gold to Manohar Nadimetal from Pune (HI), Silver to Sheetal Lembhe (Pune), and Bronze to Prerna Desai (ID). In Cake Decoration, Akash Kshirsagar (HI) won Gold, while Sheetal (Pune) and Rubina (Mumbai) took Silver and Bronze. In Patisserie, Kashif from Mumbai (HI) won Gold.
Within the Services trade, Amisha Varia from Vadodara (HI) impressed in Hair Dressing, winning Gold. In Massage, Suresh from Wardha (VI) earned Silver and Bhavesh from Jaipur (LD) took Bronze.
The event not only spotlighted skill excellence but also demonstrated the growing pipeline of job-ready talent among Persons with Disabilities. Selected medalists will now progress to the National Abilympics in Gurugram in November 2025 — taking India one step closer to forming a formidable Team India for the 11th International Abilympics in Finland 2027.
The event concluded with a Valedictory Ceremony where winners were felicitated in the presence of esteemed guests from government and industry and Bollywood personalities Mahesh Bhatt & Pooja Bhatt. “Compassion is our greatest strength, and Dr. Aggarwal lives it every day. His work reminds us that empowering others—especially the most overlooked—is the highest purpose we can serve”, Mahesh Bhatt mentioned. “As storytellers and as humans, our power lies in embracing imperfections. True inclusion begins when we honour every individual’s uniqueness—without apology, without exception, added Pooja Bhatt.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary-General of NAAI and Founder of Sarthak Educational Trust, shared, “These winners are more than medalists — they are ambassadors of resilience and proof that when given the platform, Persons with Disabilities can lead, excel, and inspire. With over 64% of India’s 2.68 crore PwDs currently unemployed and a 70% shortage of rehabilitation professionals, the need for skill-linked employment is urgent and undeniable. Through initiatives like the Abilympics, we are not just recognizing talent — we are directly linking it to opportunity, helping bridge the gap between inclusion and real-world careers.”
Selected winners from this regional round will now prepare for the National Abilympics 2025 in Gurugram, which will select finalists for Team India at the 11th International Abilympics in Finland.
