Blind Indian athletes highlight challenges in finding guide runners

Two top visually impaired Indian athletes, Rakshitha Raju and Simran Sharma, share their experiences in finding guide runners. Rakshitha, who has won gold medals at the Asian Games, relies on her guide Rahul Balakrishna, while Simran recently won a bronze medal at the Paralympics with her guide Abhay Kumar. Both athletes face challenges in securing long-term support for their guides. The Paralympic Committee of India does not provide salaries or career paths for guide runners, despite their crucial role in competitions. Rakshitha and Simran now have sponsorships to help fund their training and pay their guides. The BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year Award will be announced on February 17, celebrating the achievements of women athletes in India. Both Rakshitha and Simran aim for medals in future competitions, hoping to inspire others in their communities.