An open athletics competition for the disabled organised by Tanzania Paralympics Committee takes place today (February 20) at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The event is a qualifier for the India Commonwealth Games scheduled for August.

The Committee's General Secretary, Idd Kibwana said yesterday (February 19) names of best scorers would be sent to the body ahead of registration for the Indian games.

Kibwana said the games have been classified according to the disabilities type as laid down by World Paralympics Federation rules.

He said the major sports include track races featuring the 100m and 200m sprinting, and middle-distance races in the 400m, 800m and 1500m category.

The second batch involves field events, including shot put, discus and javelin throwing for both men and women.

Kibwana hinted that among new sports introduced this is wheelchair lawn tennis, which has so far produced a good number of Olympic-class stars. Other favourites are table tennis and power lifting.(The End)