Wheelchair Basketball India Exchange Programme begins in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: The Wheelchair Basketball India Exchange Programme, a sporting and cultural exchange initiative between India and the US, began in Coimbatore on Wednesday. The programme, supported by the US Department of State's sports diplomacy division, aims to foster sports skills, promote student success, celebrate cross-cultural understanding and advocate for greater social inclusion.

The Inbound Sports & Cultural Exchange Programme between the US and Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with the Sittruli Foundation and the Tamil Nadu Wheelchair Basketball Association, is being hosted at Kumaraguru Institutions in the city. The programme, which brings together athletes, coaches and volunteers, will end on Aug 10.

The United States delegation comprises 13 collegiate wheelchair basketball athletes and three coaches from six universities, including the University of Alabama, University of Arizona, University of Missouri, University of Illinois, and the City University of New York (CUNY).

Dr K Sudhakar, president of the Tamil Nadu Wheelchair Basketball Association and managing director of Sudha Hospitals, Erode, highlighted the development and challenges of wheelchair basketball in India, sharing his personal journey and the sport's growth in Erode.

He compared wheelchair basketball in India and the United States, pointing out that Indian teams use heavier outdoor wheelchairs (18-19 kg) compared to the lighter indoor models (8-9 kg) used in the US. He advocated for mutual learning between the two styles to enhance athletes' skills on both sides.

He announced plans to revitalize the Tamil Nadu Wheelchair Basketball Association, with the goal of making wheelchair basketball a mainstream, inclusive sport.

Dr Rama Rajasekaran, director of Ganga Hospital, emphasized the vision of their rehabilitation centre and its crucial role in promoting para-sports.

She said, "The initiative began more than 12 years ago, inspired by a spine-injured patient who emphasized the importance of continued rehabilitation and support beyond hospital care."

She emphasized the growing significance of para-sports in India, the govt’s support, and the need for continued sponsorship and support for athletes, particularly regarding their classification and international travel for competitions.

Tyler Ellis, international sports exchange coordinator at FHI 360, said, "This collaborative exchange enables us to learn more about each other's cultures, building pathways to more effective diplomatic relations."

FHI 360 is an international nonprofit organization that serves as an implementing partner for the U.S. Department of State's Sports Visitor Programme.