History will be made next week as India’s wheelchair basketball team plays for the first time ever in the U23 Asia Oceania Zone qualifying tournament that will be held on January 23-28 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The twelve players from India — the youngest being all of 13 years old — are from across the country and started playing the game not very long ago. Most of the young boys got disability owing to accidental injury. The players have attended workshops and training camps organised by the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India, along with the ICRC, and their participation in the game has given them new motivation, self-respect and a life of dignity.

Three out of the total six teams playing in Bangkok will qualify from this zone to participate in the U23 World Championships in Toronto, Canada in June later this year. The other five teams from this Zone are Australia, China, Iran, Japan and Thailand.

It’s time to introduce the young boys who form the Indian Wheelchair Basketball Team and their coach — all of whom are on their way to Bangkok to take on the big challenge and benefit from this experience in every way possible.

For more information, keep track of updates via WBFI Facebook page.