Wheelchair basketball camp draws to a close

Director of Choice International of London and coach of wheelchair basketball, Jaspal Dhani, presenting a boccia game kit to trainee K. Neelima at the Police Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Monday. MD of CMR group M.Venkata Ramana (right), Assistant Director for Welfare of Physically Handicapped Narasimhulu and president of The Ability People Dilip Patro are seen. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

The five-day coaching camp in wheelchair basketball, conducted by the Choice International of London and organised by The Ability People (TAP), at the Police stadium here, concluded on Monday with a lot of satisfaction and confidence gained by about 10 trainees, including a few girls.

It was inspiring for him to work with them, Director of Choice International and coach Jaspal Dhani said about his trainees and wished some of them participate in the Para Olympics in 2020. “I have trained several players in London during the last 17 years and you have trained harder than them”, he complimented the players at the valedictory function.

President of District Basketball Association T.S.R. Prasad, who presided, appreciated Choice International and TAP for conducting the coaching camp and raising the confidence level of the players.

Differently-abled have equal life and could do wonders if they were provided a direction, but they need support also in the shape of sponsorship for their activities, said CEO of Choice International Manoj Soma. By spending a small amount of money a ramp was laid and minor changes were made to the toilets to suit the differently-abled, he said while stressing the need for the affluent to help the differently abled.

MD of CMR group M.V. Ramana while thanking the Choice International and TAP for bringing smiles on the faces of players, assured all support to the differently-abled sportspersons.

Assistant Director (welfare for physically handicapped) Narasimhulu said a beginning was made here and hoped the locals participate in the National championships and Para Olympics in future. The government has not only increased the reservation quota for physically handicapped from three per cent to five percent but also given authority to the district Collector and AD (PH) to ensure its implementation.

Director of Physical Education of Andhra University M. Syam Babu, Joint GM of Essar group D.S. Varma and former Director of AIR Raja Rao, Charu of Choice International also spoke. President of TAP Dilip Patro thanked the City Police Commissioner for providing the basketball court and a rest room for conducting the camp.

Certificates were presented to the trainees and students of BVK College who acted as volunteers during the camp. Mr. Jaspal Dhani presented a kit of boccia game to a trainee K. Neelima of Vijaywada.