Mumbai, March 26, 2008:
Children from various institutions for physically challenged competed at the only championship of its kind, the Hakone Go Karting and Rock Climbing Championship for Physically Challenged Children. This unique annual event was held for the 8th year to provide a rare opportunity to differently-abled children for competing in challenging sports such as Go-Karting and Rock-Climbing.
Physically challenged children, both boys and girls, between the age group of 12 to 17 years participated in this spectacular event. As many as 92 entries for Rock Climbing and 99 entries for Go Karting were received from NGOs such as Sanskardham Vidyalaya for Hearing Impaired, Koshish School for the Deaf, Disha Karnabadhir Vidyalaya, Save the Children School, Vikas Vidyalaya for Hearing impaired, Sadhna Vidyalaya for the Deaf. These children were given free training for four days during which they were short-listed for the finals on 26th March 2008 at the Hakone Go Karting Sports Centre, Hiranandani Gardens - Powai, Mumbai. Many of these children experienced karting for the first time during the practice sessions and were truly delighted. Overcoming their disabilities, these children competed on Hakone's professional championship track - the longest, internationally certified and world acclaimed Karting track in the country and the finals were absolutely thrilling. 
Celebrities from the glamour world such as actors Milind Soman, Zulfi Syed, Manini De, Ketki Dave, Ashutosh Singh were present at the Karting tracks to cheer the children. The Reigning National Karting Champion – Ameya Walawarkar blazed the tracks for a thrilling demo for the championship and encouraged the physically challenged geniuses to blaze the tracks and conquer the rock heights at Hakone Mumbai. Mr. Surendra and Mrs. Priti Hiranandani, who wholeheartedly support the cause of the championship each year, were present at the event.
On the success of the championships, Mr. Surendra Hiranandani, Managing Director, Hiranandani Group and pioneer of go-karting in India, comments, “Each year the championship gets better and better in terms of both enthusiasm and participation from the talented physically challenged kids. We will not be surprised if these children win at the national circuits next.”
More about the Championship:
The Go-Karting Championships at Hiranandani Gardens for the Physically Challenged is aimed at bringing out their spirit of adventure. This annual event is driven by their very enthusiasm and determination, visible at the past championships.
The Hakone championships for Physically Challenged Children began in the year 2001. Since then, there has been no looking back, as the flood of entries keeps increasing every year, making it one of the most awaited annual events. In the past numerous celebrities have demonstrated their support for this noble cause with their presence at these championships over the years, some of them being Milind Soman, Arjun Rampal, Aftab Shivdasani, Sanjay Suri, Rakhi Sawant, Bhumika Chawla, Aman Verma, Aryan Vaid, Zayed Khan, Ruby Bhatia, Rohit Roy, Raageshwari, Sharad Kapoor, Juhi Babbar, Rajeev Khandelwal, Varun Badola, Mauli Ganguly, Neeraj of Bombay Vikings, Manini De, music director Lalit besides sport stars - National Karting Champion Ameya Walavalkar and National Formula Champion Rayomand Banajee.
From the past two years, a Rock-Climbing Championship at the Hakone Rock Wall, Powai has also been added along with the go-karting competition to provide an additional thrill of adventure to the physically challenged children. In both Go-Karting and Rock Climbing, there are separate championships for boys and girls.
Says Ms. Priti Hiranandani, Director, Hiranandani Group, “Children with physical disabilities are often excluded from participation in most sports that require extensive physical co-ordination. Participation in challenging sports such as go-karting and rock-climbing can provide a major fillip to the unrecognized potential of these children. Our aim is to evoke the spirit of challenge in handicapped children and to create awareness about their cause.”
This Championship for Physically Challenged Children is a unique initiative and the brainchild of Mr. Surendra Hiranandani, MD. Hiranandani Group the pioneer of Go-Karting in India. He says, “Physical Disability among Children can be seen as both a problem and a challenge. Projecting disability as a challenge helps children accept it as something that does not limit their other abilities. The enthusiasm with which these children participate each year encourages us to believe that nothing is impossible. Their energetic participation motivates us to further our own spirit of adventure, taking these children as an example.”
About Hakone:
Hakone Go-Karting was the first karting track in the country, and also the first to be certified by the National Karting Association of UK on international parameters of safety and infrastructure. Hakone has three different tracks for different categories of karters - cadet track (for young budding karters), professional track (for senior karters) and championship track that is the longest karting track in the country. Covering about two acres on hilly terrain in Powai, Hakone provides the unique thrill of karting on a hillock in the breathtaking ambience of Hiranandani Gardens giving Mumbaikars a truly exciting motor-sport. Besides Karting, Hakone also has artificial Rock-climbing, Game center, a Mini Golf course, Trampoline, Bungee and Bumper cars. It is also the only go-karting track to successfully hold a special annual championship for physically challenged children.
About Hiranandani Group:
Hiranandani Group has been synonymous with creating better communities. The group has earned a tremendous reputation not only for construction but also in the fields of education, sports, entertainment, hospitality, IT, healthcare, and environmental conservation, all with a human touch and a concern for communities. The dynamic leadership of the Hiranandani brothers - Mr. Niranjan Hiranandani and Mr. Surendra Hiranandani has been taking the group to newer heights.
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