First ever wheelchair basketball workshop to commence from September 5
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, September 04 2018: The Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Department of Youth Affairs and Sports Shishu SAROTHI will be organising a three day workshop on Wheelchair Basketball from September 5 to 7 at Khuman Lampak Indoor stadium, Imphal.

This is the first time that Wheelchair Basketball is introduced in the State.

The goal of the workshop is to train the first set of players and coaches from Manipur for the long term development of sports amongst the disability sector in Manipur.

It is hoped that the training will go a long way in increasing the number of qualified coaches and players for wheelchair basketball in India.

Kalyani Rajaraman, secretary general, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India will be organizing this event while Lee Roy Simon and Suvarna Limahe, nationally trained wheelchair basketball coach will be conducting the training.

A total of 25 trainee players will be participating out of which five players will be women trainee players.

At the end of the workshop, players will learn the basics of wheelchair basketball, witness an exhibition match at 4 pm followed by a certificate distribution ceremony.

10 best players will be selected to form the Manipur Wheelchair basketball team and will participate in the upcoming "5th National Wheelchair Basketball Championship, 2018" at Erode, Tamil Nadu from September 20 to 23 .

Wheelchair basketball is a para sport played in Paralympics since 1960 and around 105 countries are playing this game.

In India, this sport was introduced by WBFI in 2014 .

Persons with physical disabilities, disability below lower limb like polio, amputee, minor disability in leg, Paraplegic, spinal cord injury can participate.

They should have strong upper limb to move the sports wheelchair and hold the ball.

WBFI encourages women to participate in large number.

The schedule of the workshop is as follows : .

On September 5 at 10 am, the workshop will be inaugurated by Nemcha Kipgen, Minister for Social Welfare and Cooperation, in the presence of Jacintha Lazarus, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Armstrong Pame, IAS, Director Youth affairs and Sports and Kalyani Rajaraman, Secretary General, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India.

While training on wheelchair basketball will be held from September 5 to 7 from 10 am to 4 pm and on the last day at 4 pm, an exhibition match on Wheelchair Basketball followed by Valedictory program and distribution of certificates.

The valedictory program will be graced by Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Letpao Haokip, in the presence of, Bobby Waikhom, Secretary Youth Affairs and Sports, Jacintha Lazarus, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Armstrong Pame, IAS, Director Youth Affairs and Sports and Kalyani Rajaraman, Secretary General, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India.

Department of Social Welfare has identified all participants, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports has provided the stadium and accommodation for players while all other facilities are provided by both departments.

Shishu Sarothi is supported by taking care of coach expenditure and providing wheelchair.

Affiliated with International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and Paralympic Committee of India, PCI, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) works on nurturing strong State-level and National teams for Wheelchair Basketball in India.

WBFI has an outreach to more than 500 players across 15 States and has organized training camps and held four National Championships and an exhibition match with Thailand team.

WBFI was instrumental in participation of our team in international tournaments like U23 Men's World Championship Qualifiers, Asian Para Games Qualifiers (Men & Women) and 4th Bali Cup International Tournament where men & women teams won Bronze medal.

Comment