It was not long ago — in 2014 — that the ICRC got together with the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) to organise the first training camp in the country for wheelchair basketball with a few players and coaches. Two National Championships later, the Indian wheelchair basketball players in the U-23 category are leaving no stone unturned to make their international debut next year.
The team is preparing for the Asia Oceanic Zonal Championship for Wheelchair Basketball in Thailand in January 2017 — a qualifying tournament for the World Under-23 Wheelchair Basketball Championship to be held later that year in Canada.
Milkha Singh
As heartwarming as their commitment to this game is the support the players have received from one of the greatest Indian male athletes — Milkha Singh. With Indian Paralympians winning laurels for their extraordinary performance at the recent Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a momentum has been created, more than ever, to strengthen Paralympic sports in India and help players to hone their skills. Madhavi Latha, President WBFI and a National Paralympic swimming champion, has also launched an online campaign seeking donations for the team.
A recent article on The Better India (thebetterindia.com) titled ‘Here’s Why Milkha Singh Is Backing the Country’s First Wheelchair Basketball Team‘ talks about how the sport has evolved over the years in India.
The ICRC’s Physical Rehabilitation Program in India contributes to social reintegration of people with disabilities into society. In India and across the world, sports is empowering for persons with disabilities and brings about a positive change in the way society perceives them. The ICRC works with persons with disabilities across eleven countries in Asia and has developed wheelchair basketball in Afghanistan, Cambodia, India and the Philippines.
Also see:
Game for Empowerment, Recognition and Pride
Breaking Barriers Using Wheels
Unifying Force that Blurs all Cultural Boundaries
Heads Turn as Wheels Roll at Basketball Championship in Delhi