Aliya Abreu
Panaji
Goa’s first-time wheelchair basketball players could not have been more excited or enthusiastic about the sport after their first exhibition match, played at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday evening. The 10-minute match was played between two teams -- Team Green and Team Orange, and the 12 players were from amongst the 16 that participated in a two-day workshop organised by the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) at the stadium.
Team Orange won the match, scoring three baskets to Green’s one. For the first-time players who learnt the rules and techniques of wheelchair basketball in under two days, the players showed an outstanding talent, that was much appreciated by those present, notedly Shawn Rodrigues, the coach of the Goa State basketball team.
“We’ve got good and talented players here,” Rodrigues told ‘The Goan’, on conclusion of the match. “Considering these are first-time basketball players, their skill is fantastic,” he said, while explaining that upper body strength training was extremely important for wheelchair basketball athletes.
The players themselves -- all of whom were men, save one woman, 21-year-old Sonam Goankar from Taleigao -- expressed joy at being given the opportunity to try their hand at the sport. Speaking to ‘The Goan’, Gopal Naik from Panaji described his experience as “superb”. Gopal also said that he looked forward to more such events in Goa.
Manguesh Kuttikar from Curca, an international swimmer and archer, was well pleased with the coaching given to players over the two days.
“It’s the first time we sat in the chair,” said Manguesh. “We learned many rules and regulations of wheelchair basketball; how to operate the chair and handle the ball,” he explained. Manguesh has suggested to WBFI that if the players are provided wheelchairs, they would definitely win medals for the State.
Other players too reiterated Manguesh’s sentiment. Prakash Kundaikar from Taleigao, who has already won a gold medal in body building, said: “I felt so good. If the government gives us wheelchairs with which to compete, we will definitely win medals for Goa.” Sayed Mosik from Porvorim has the same request to the government. “We want to play for nationals, which we can do with support from the Sports Authority of Goa,” said Sayed, who wants the government to encourage other wheelchair sports.
The government’s support for the sport was already noticed at the match, with Secretary of Sports, J Ashok Kumar present for the event. Further, the government has said that they will sponsor wheelchairs for Goan players. Each wheelchair costs around Rs 38,000, informed Rodrigues. “The Sports Department has promised that they will provide all possible help to get these players up to a standard to compete with other national associations,” said Rodrigues.
With the excellent standard already shown by the players, one hopes that the authorities sees their promise through and that wheelchair basketball players achieve great heights.
