They may be using a wheelchair because they are not as mobile as a normal person. But when you talk to them, you not only forget that they are physically challenged but also realise that they are more confident and enthusiastic than physically abled persons.
This transformation was brought about by London-based coach Jaspal Dhani.
It was a few days of intensive coaching in wheelchair basketball by this ebullient coach, who is also a sort of task master. It had been a gruelling session from morning till late afternoon, but the group of about dozen trainees did not mind it and, at the end of it, they were a confident lot.
The participants have come from outside Visakhapatnam also, one girl coming from Vijayawada, and very few have handled a basketball till then.
“But with a few days of training, they are able to shoot the basket, which is simply superb,” said secretary of District Basketball Association B. Ramayya, who assisted the coach during the brief camp.
“I am privileged and proud to be associated with them. When we started the game, it was new for many of them. But, in four days they grew as athletes, human beings, and as a team. I wanted a group of motivated and enthusiastic players, and this bunch is exceptionally committed and hungry to learn,” Jaspal Dhani complimented his wards at the end of the camp, organised from December 13 to 17 at the police stadium.
He taught them how to use the wheelchair, starting, stopping, ball pass, ‘basketing’ the ball, team work etc. The Ability People organised the programme.
Watching their enthusiasm and hard work, Jaspal Dhani formed a wheelchair basketball team and named it Vizag Lions. He hopes the team will continue and play in many tournaments.
Director of Choice International of London, Jaspal Dhani is planning to form teams in other parts of the country and conduct State-level and all-India tournaments in future.
He has 17 years of coaching behind him, having been introduced to the game at the age of 11 after his parents from Punjab migrated to the U.K. when he was seven years old.
The 45-year-old Jaspal is an activist working for the physically challenged in the U.K. and is director-projects of Choice International, and looks after many other areas apart from running the London Titans, a successful wheelchair basketball club.
Jaspal Dhani feels that sports for physically challenged is an area that immediately gains notice of others in the community. Also, the physically challenged feel the responsibility and ownership as they play for a team while the competition makes them forget their disability.
“People living around the basketball court (residents of police quarters) are keenly watching our players training on the court every day. Passers-by stop and watch for a while,” Jaspal Dhani and another volunteer of the Choice International, Charu, say while pointing out how sports can make a better impact on society.
