Motivating disabled to take up sports

NT Correspondent

With the firm belief that every individual deserves equal opportunities, Motivation India, with financial support of NTT DATA under its CSR programme, gave away multisport wheelchairs to 14 people with disabilities at the JSS Public School grounds here on Wednesday.

“Our gesture will help nurture para sports talent in Karnataka. Having a dedicated sports wheelchair will help persons with disability practice the sport of their liking and go on to participate in state-, national- and international-level competitions. Playing will also help them stay healthy and active members in the community,” Veena B.N., Manager – Corporate Partnerships, of the non-governmental organisation told News Trail.

Despite all odds, several para-athletes have made our country proud by participating and winning in Paralympics and other para sports competitions, according to Biju Mathew, Regional Director – South Asia.

“Like everyone else, persons with disabilities love to play, but they miss on the right equipment and facilities like sports wheelchairs and accessible infrastructure. Para sports are gaining popularity in India. However, the right equipment is often not available or financially out of reach of most people. There is also a lack of accessible sports facilities for persons with disabilities,” he said.

The inability to completely utilise her legs has not deterred Anita H Patil from managing all her activities without anyone’s assistance. “In fact, I can cook a meal for 20 guests in a jiffy, but these things became possible only after I got an everyday wheelchair – God created us; Motivation made us mobile,” she said emphatically.

Anita, the gritty woman who has overcome polio affliction, is on the Advisory Committee of the Department for Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, Bengaluru. She plays wheelchair basketball to keep herself “fit both physically and mentally”. Motivation is in the process of developing dedicated wheelchairs for cricket players.

Currently, players have been using regular wheelchairs even while playing the sport. “Wheelchairs designed specifically for batters, bowlers as also fielders bring the best out of them,” said Mathew.