Medals will speak! Amita-Sufa run the show at Vellayani Indoor Stadium

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amita and Sufa, both deaf mute students, have been together since the age of five. They communicate through sign language. The thunder of applause reverberated across the indoor stadium of Vellayani Agricultural College on Wednesday after the Kozhikode team defeated Thiruvananthapuram in the handball tournament in the inclusive category. Most of the praise was directed at the Amita-Sufa pair.

Amita and Sufa are Plus Two Computer Science students of Karuna Speech and Hearing HSS in Calicut. This is the second time they are participating in the state competition. Last year, Thiruvananthapuram defeated Kozhikode by 2 goals, making this year’s a sweet revenge for Kozhikode. Amita scored three of the team's six goals. The pass was provided by Sufa.

Amita's father is Abdul Salam, a halwa vendor. Mother: Afsina. Ruksana, a post office employee, and Khadija (a student) are siblings. Sufa is the eldest daughter of the Muhammad-Nasira couple, who are daily wage labourers. Sufa’s sister is Hawa Irene. All four in the family cannot speak or hear.

Sufa has also participated in the National Sports Festival for the Disabled in running and long jump. Amita's other sports are shot put and discus throw. Amita won a bronze in the discus throw in 2023. Both are also competing in the state-level chess competition for the disabled to be held in Thrissur this month.