They incessantly battle against their own disabilities that ultimately make them tenacious. But, often their hopes get belied when their loved ones desert them, system turns a nelson’s eye to their lot and the dawn of happiness refuses to set in. Yet, they don’t give up; their fortitude and perseverance keep them going against all odds all the time and every time! This 10-member squad of Arba Minch University’s physically-challenged students have never participated in any competitions; but, ‘‘With hard work and regular practice we will win medals for AMU,’’ the group said, as they brace up for Haramaya University Sport Festival.
These elated individuals are being trained by the Sport Science coach Sentayehu Tadesse, who admits, ‘‘We may not have been given best of the things required but our spirit is high. These students with their self-barriers know how to transcend it; nothing can bog us down,’’ he reiterated.
2nd year Animal Science student, Seid, with his congenitally deformed right hand, would be running 1500-meter race. Taking five laps of the stadium at Main Campus regularly, he aspires to be the winner.
Similarly, Melesew, 3rd year Math student has feeble right hand, is also preparing for 1500-meter race. Unsure about his fate at the tourney he is fully focused.
Wrong injection during childhood might have got his left leg paralyzed but his resolve is as tough as a nail. This diminutive man, Kahlil Kadir, is gearing up for the javelin & shot-put throw and for the wheel-chair run as well.
Yonas Sime, a winner in walking event and a good soccer player at school-level, got stone injuries and the treatment that went awry caused untold damage to the upper portion of his left leg, which is now absolutely skinny.
‘‘Now I can’t take to the field, hence, I shifted the focus to javelin, shot-put and discus throw. My present shot-put record is 7 to 8-meter; but, I have to cross 10-meter barrier to be in the race for medal, and I have potential to make it up,’’ he confidently argues.
Lean, slim and reticent, Yimegnushal Wazge, 1st year geography student will partake in javelin throw for the first time.
Likewise, Yetimwork, 2nd year Medical Laboratory Science student, is basically gung-ho for wheel-chair race if provided one for the practice. Undergoing strenuous training, she pushes shot-put to 4 meters and in the days to come, she would improve her performance.
Quick on his feet to prove his caliber, he threw javelin to 31 meter distance. Ketema Beyu, 2nd year Animal Science student, from Ambo, Oromia region, is sure about his victory. When kid he was trampled upon by a cow, causing grievous injuries to his right leg. He said, ‘‘With special diet, I can throw javelin to 40 meter and win the medal.’’ 
He may not be sure about his fate but has literally taken up the gauntlet. Abdu Nuru, 2nd year biology student, with his minor disability, would throw shot-put at the tourney.
‘‘In the village, I never had opportunity to participate in any sport events. However, this is my maiden attempt at javelin and shot-put, and with special food and boot at my legs, I can work wonder,’’ said the polio-affected 3rd year hydraulics student, Gezae Gaibremedhan.
3rd year hydraulics student, Gebremichael, with his flaccid left leg, has steely resolve to make it big at javelin and shot-put throw at Haramaya University Sport Festival.
This lanky lad, Oman Okello, is 1st year sociology & social anthropology student, had brought laurels for his school in Std. XII in swimming and fared well in table tennis. But this time with 7-meter initial record, he intends to bring honor for university in shot-put.
By Philips Joseph