SRINAGAR, June 6:It was a day for the differently-abled sportspersons to take centre-stage in Srinagar Wednesday when the 8th National deaf and dumb chess championship started at a local college here.

Sportspersons from 14 states are competing in the championship which is being held in Kashmir for the first time.

Muneer Ahmad Mir, chairman of the championships managing committee, said: “There are about 150 participants from 14 states of the country. Encouragingly, local deaf and dumb sportspersons are also competing in this championship.

“While there has always been focus on normal sportspersons, the differently-abled sportspersons are often neglected. Such events will help encourage the differently-abled sportspersons to exploit their talent.”