GUWAHATI, Aug 3 - The Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) in association with the Sports Authority of Assam and Shishu Sarothi, is organising a workshop on wheelchair basketball on August 3 and 4 at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bardoloi Indoor Stadium, Sarusajai Sports Complex here.
The goal of the workshop is to train the first set of players and coaches from Assam for the long-term development of the sport amongst the disability sector in India.
Wheelchair basketball has been played in the Paralympics since 1960 and around 105 countries are playing this game. In India this sport was introduced by WBFI in 2014.
The training is supposed to contribute in increasing the number of qualified coaches and players for wheelchair basketball in India. Kalyani Rajaraman, secretary general, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India is organising the event.
Lee Roy Simon and Krishnanand, nationally trained wheelchair basketball coaches, are conducting the training for 30 trainee players including seven women.
Persons with physical disabilities, disability below lower limb like polio, amputee, minor disability in leg, paraplegic, spinal cord injury can participate in this sport provided they have strong upper limb to move the sports wheelchair and hold the ball. The WBFI encourages women to participate in large numbers.
On August 4, an exhibition match of wheelchair basketball will also be held. This will be followed by a valedictory programme.
Shishu Sarothi is the local partner, mobilising players and making all arrangements for the event, according to a press release.
