Life can be harsh and test someone’s willpower with all its severity. But if there is perseverance, it can force open the doors also.Ask Somjeet Singh or squadron leader Abhay Partab Singh. They are part of an Indian cricket team — the Indian wheelchair cricket team, which successfully completed its first international tour of Bangladesh. It was their dream to wear the national jersey but they also needed a dream merchant. Enter Sachin Tendulkar, who knew how it feels to wear that blue jersey. A month back, 36-year-old Pradeep Raj, who is the secretary of the Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI), was trying to raise funds to the tune of Rs 6.5 lakh so that the Indian team could travel to Bangladesh for a bilateral series. It was then the idea of writing to Tendulkar crossed his mind. “Despite my best efforts, I could only get only one sponsor, who gave Rs 2 lakh. I had knocked many doors for our wheelchair team but to no avail. I had Sachin sir’s email address as during my days as a para-athlete (he was a cricketer and then a para TT player), I had e-mailed him. This time also I mailed Sachin sir asking for help,” Raj told PTI during an interaction. “To my pleasant surprise, his office got in touch with me within three days and in next few days, he donated the outstanding Rs 4.5 lakh. Without his help, the Indian Wheelchair cricket team would have had to cancel their trip to Bangaldesh. The financial help provided by him went a long way in booking air tickets for the 19-member team,” Raj said. “Also from the balance amount, we were able to give each cricketer Rs 10,000 as series fees. BJP MP and noted Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari also donated Rs 10,000 each to the players. So for the first time, Indian players got Rs 20,000 each for playing a tournament,” Raj said. The Indian team beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the three match series. “The matches were held in Dhaka and the first one was a wash-out due to rain. We won the next two matches. This is the second time that wheelchair team has played an international series. Last time, we had invited Bangladesh in Delhi,” Raj informed. For him more than the money, someone like Tendulkar throwing his weight behind the physically challenged athletes is a big plus. “We know that association for the visually challenged cricketers have appealed to BCCI for support. We have a committed bunch of cricketers, who have survived biggest of tragedies to come this far. If we get the support of the establishment, it will help all these people have a second shot at career,” Raj appealed. In wheelchair cricket, the matches are held in T20 format. They are trying to use lighter balls (used for women’s cricket). If the wheelchair is used by batsman to obstruct a delivery, then he is adjudged lbw. The boundaries are at 45 yards. “In the Indian team, there are different stories. There are players, who have had their legs amputed because of road accidents. We have players, who are paralysed waist down. There are a few who have been affected by polio. They have come from all parts of the country, appeared for trials and got selected. We organised a national tournament last year and champions were rewarded with cash prize of Rs 50,000,” the secretary said. Raj’s own story is no less fascinating. While he still competes in para-TT events, he is the heart and soul of wheelchair cricket movement in India. Para-Sports has not only given him a goal in life but it also gave him a life-partner– his wife Suvarna, who herself is a para-athlete.

It is a proud moment for Lucknowites as three players from the city have been selected to represent India in a T-20 cricket series to be played against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates. The trio — Somjeet Singh, Irfan Haider and Anmol Vashisht– are part of the Uttar Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Association and will be playing in the five-day Wheelchair Cricket Series against Pakistan, that begins today, and will be vying for the Friendship Cup. An excited Somjeet, who’s also the captain of the team, just before leaving for the UAE, tell us, “We are trying our best so that we can bring home the cup. Moreover, we are also trying hard because the expectations from us have increased as recently we won a match against Bangladesh. As the captain and a batsman, I have a lot of pressure and responsibilities on me.” Nervous about playing against Pakistan, the 21 year-old says, “This time our match is against Pakistan, and India and Pakistan match is always a much talked about one. So mind main woh ek pressure pehle se hi build up ho gaya hai. We cannot forget that Pakistan is the founder of the wheelchair cricket and they have been playing for a very long time so their preparation is always way ahead of ours. So we have a tough competition ahead of us, but I’m sure we will emerge winners.” Somjeet Singh (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)As for Irfan, a fast bowler, this will be his first match against the neighbouring country. “I have never had a chance to play against Pakistan, unlike some players of our team who had the privilege of playing against them in Malaysia in 2016. So understanding their style of playing is really tough for us at the moment. Currently, we can just improve upon our basic and just go with our inner conscious. Mann main ek josh hai that no matter what, we want to defeat Pakistan and come out victorious,” says the 20 year-old with a smile, adding, “Also the excitement in us to play against Pakistan has increased because once, when I was surfing the net, on one of the social media sites I read in a comment that the best team in wheelchair cricket is the Pakistani team. So playing against them will be very exciting.”Talking about the challenges and hardships that these players have faced in the few years that they have taken up the game, Somjeet says, “The main challenges that we face is regarding wheelchairs. Some players cannot afford to purchase good wheelchairs. So because of that the speed and momentum of the game gets affected. Secondly, when you see some of the international cricket players, they are there on the teams on contractual basis which gives them the privilege of proper playing kits. Jaise hamare kuch players hain. They get some kind of help from their own states, but in Uttar Pradesh there are some manufacturers who even deny providing us with good sports kits.” Irfan Haider and inset Anmol Vashisht (BCCL/ Aditya Yadav)Sharing one such incident Somjeet tells us, “Recently one of the manufacturers from Lucknow refused to provide me with a proper cricket gear kit saying that he doesn’t sponsor or provide kits to players like us. He said, ‘instead we provide kits to international players’. When I told him that I also play international level cricket, he just offered to give me a discount. So this mentality of taking our game so casually is the biggest challenge for us.” While Irfan on the other hand believes that the basic amenities that a player needs is one reason which somewhere helps to win a match. “We are not demanding much and I think a wheelchair is one thing which is very important in our game as well as for a player. Can the state not provide us with one? Everyone wants to see us emerge winners but providing us with basic stuff is never given a thought,” he avers.Disappointed with the treatment meted out to them by the state, the young players say that there is no aid provided to them by the UP government and that is what is proving to be the biggest disadvantage for them. “The state is giving us no aid regarding anything. Even when we defeated Bangladesh in a cricket tournament in 2016, we got a very grand welcome in Delhi where Arvind Kejriwal, the CM greeted us. Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India, also invited and feted us a few days after we landed in India. But our chief minister never acknowledged our win. Hamari government ne toh hamein poochha tak nahi. This attitude really hurts us and somewhere demotivates us also. There were four players from Lucknow in the team at that time, and we were expecting a grand welcome in Lucknow from our government. But when nothing happened, we really felt sad. This somewhere makes us realize our disability,” says Somjeet.

The Indian Wheelchair Cricket team won the final match by 9 Wickets against Pakistan to win the series at MCC Cricket Ground, Ajman, UAE at the Indo-Pak Wheelchair Cricket Series, Friendship Cup 2018. The Chief Guest of the match was Counsul General of India in Dubai Mr. Vipul. He was joined by Andy Hobbs from ICC, representatives from Thumbay, Mr Abhinav Iyer from Muthoot, Mr Arun from Shiv Naresh, Mr UA Khan President India Association, Ajman and many others. Legendary Cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram, Madan Lal, Abdul Quadir, R. Ashwin, Muthaiya Muralidharan, Harbhazan met the team and officials and conveyed their best wishes to the team and were delighted by the efforts of WCI. The Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team registered a historical victory against Bangladesh during India-Bangladesh Wheelchair Cricket Series 2018, at Dhaka, from 4th to 8th May 2018. It was a great matter of pride that the former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar came forward and supported the Indian team for the Bangladesh tour. “We come with a very special message of sportsmanship prevails above all ! Two teams, two nations but One Dream to take this movement across the Globe and create opportunities in sports for us. Its always a win win situation, the result does not matter. We assure the people across both sides that we would make you proud by all our efforts to make this series a grand success,” Pradeep Raj, organiser of the event and General Secretary, Wheelchair Cricket India said. Series Details: 1st Match : India won by 89 Runs, Man of the match – Rohit Anotra 2nd Match : India won by 6 Wickets, Man of the match – Ramesh Kumar 3rd Match : India won by 9 Wickets, Man of the match – Poshan, Man of the Series – Somjeet Singh (captain)

Life can be harsh and test someone’s willpower with all its severity. But if there is perseverance, it can force open the doors also. Ask Somjeet Singh or squadron leader Abhay Partab Singh.They are part of an Indian cricket team — the Indian wheelchair cricket team, which successfully completed its first international tour of Bangladesh. It was their dream to wear the national jersey but they also needed a dream merchant. Enter Sachin Tendulkar, who knew how it feels to wear that blue jersey. A month back, 36-year-old Pradeep Raj, who is the secretary of the Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI), was trying to raise funds to the tune of ₹6.5 lakh so that the Indian team could travel to Bangladesh for a bilateral series. It was then the idea of writing to Tendulkar crossed his mind. “Despite my best efforts, I could only get only one sponsor, who gave ₹2 lakh. I had knocked many doors for our wheelchair team but to no avail. I had Sachin sir’s email address as during my days as a para-athlete (he was a cricketer and then a para TT player), I had e-mailed him. This time also I mailed Sachin sir asking for help,” Raj told PTI during an interaction. “To my pleasant surprise, his office got in touch with me within three days and in next few days, he donated the outstanding ₹4.5 lakh. Without his help, the Indian Wheelchair cricket team would have had to cancel their trip to Bangaldesh. The financial help provided by him went a long way in booking air tickets for the 19-member team,” Raj said. “Also from the balance amount, we were able to give each cricketer ₹10,000 as series fees. BJP MP and noted Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari also donated ₹10,000 each to the players. So for the first time, Indian players got ₹20,000 each for playing a tournament,” Raj said. The Indian team beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the three match series. “The matches were held in Dhaka and the first one was a wash-out due to rain. We won the next two matches. This is the second time that wheelchair team has played an international series. Last time, we had invited Bangladesh in Delhi,” Raj informed. For him more than the money, someone like Tendulkar throwing his weight behind the physically challenged athletes is a big plus. “We know that association for the visually challenged cricketers have appealed to BCCI for support. We have a committed bunch of cricketers, who have survived biggest of tragedies to come this far. If we get the support of the establishment, it will help all these people have a second shot at career,” Raj appealed. In wheelchair cricket, the matches are held in T20 format. They are trying to use lighter balls (used for women’s cricket). If the wheelchair is used by batsman to obstruct a delivery, then he is adjudged lbw. The boundaries are at 45 yards. “In the Indian team, there are different stories. There are players, who have had their legs amputed because of road accidents. We have players, who are paralysed waist down. There are a few who have been affected by polio. They have come from all parts of the country, appeared for trials and got selected. We organised a national tournament last year and champions were rewarded with cash prize of ₹50,000,” the secretary said. Raj’s own story is no less fascinating. While he still competes in para-TT events, he is the heart and soul of wheelchair cricket movement in India. Para-Sports has not only given him a goal in life but it also gave him a life-partner– his wife Suvarna, who herself is a para-athlete. “We met in 2006 during a National Para event. She was a powerlifter then. We got married in 2008. She now plays wheelchair TT and also champions cause for wellbeing of para-athletes. I am currently working as a consultant on office building projects. My job is to provide solution as to how physically challenged people can have an easy access inside the buildings,” he signed off.

A day before the much-anticipated cricket match between India and Pakistan of the Asia Cup, another Indian cricket team defeated Pakistan on day one of the Friendship Cup. These are wheelchair teams playing a series of three matches in the UAE. The Indian side led by Somjeet Singh put up an impressive score of 181/7 in 20 overs. To which, Pakistan stumbled with only 92 runs in 16 overs, and losing the match by a margin of 89 runs. The Friendship Cup will have two more matches as part of the three-match series. With yesterday’s win, India’s Wheelchair Cricket Team is leading the series 1-0, says Daily Hunt. For the first time, India will also host the first Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup in October 2018. It was decided by AWCC (Asian Wheelchair Cricketing Association) at a meeting held in Bangladesh on November 4, 2017. The history of the Indian wheelchair cricket team goes back to 2011. It was international para-athlete and national awardee Pradeep Raj who laid the foundation for Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI). The idea came during Pradeep’s visit to South Korea, where he interacted with wheelchair cricket delegations from Bangladesh and Pakistan. He felt the need for a wheelchair cricket team, as it would provide an opportunity to para-athletes to represent India. With no infrastructural or financial support, the WCI promoted the sport on its own. Currently, he serves as the Secretary-General of the Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team. Pradeep also approached cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who donated a sum of 4.39 lakh, for the team’s international tour to Bangladesh, as reported by Deccan Chronicle. The undying spirit of WCI led to the establishment of Asian Wheelchair Cricket Association (AWCC). The association now houses cricket delegations from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, says The Better India.

November 2 marked the 72nd birth anniversary of its former chairman, the late M G George Muthoot. The Muthoot Group, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of its former chairman the late M G George Muthoot, launched a set of initiatives in the areas of sustainable energy generation, medical emergency, healthcare facilities and education. November 2 marked the 72nd birth anniversary of George Muthoot. As a part of its initiative, the Muthoot Group stated in a press release that it had set up a health van for free testing of patients suffering from renal diseases in Sangli, Pune. The Group further said that it has also sponsored an ambulance for cancer patients in a shelter home in Mumbai. The Group said it has donated 39 special wheelchairs to Wheelchair Cricket Association for supporting differently abled players in New Delhi. Moreover, it has distributed 25 tricycle carts and 10 cycle rickshaws to underprivileged people in New Delhi, it added. It also said that it has distributed 20 four-wheel wooden pushcarts and weighing scales to small-scale street vendors in Bangalore. It said that it has distributed scholarships to 50 students at government schools in Mumbai. Moreover, it has instituted the Muthoot M George Higher Education Scholarship 2021 for meritorious students of MBBS, BTech and nursing courses, it added. In all, 150 students from across Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala and Telangana will benefit from the scheme. The Muthoot Group further stated that it has installed solar power backup at the National Association of Blind in New Delhi, distributed food among over 5,000 underprivileged people across the country and handed over houses to flood-hit people.

The third tri-nation T-20 wheelchair cricket worldcup is underway in Kolkata. Here’s what you need to know. The first time I attended a wheelchair cricket match, I was the only spectator. It was in 2017, just a few months after I’d volunteered for the Blind Cricket World Cup Tournament. My mentor had recommended I watch India’s first International Wheelchair Cricket Tournament, at the stadium. This year, Wheelchair Cricket India, headed by Pradeep Raj, is organising a tri-nation T20 wheelchair cricket series, with Nepal, Bangladesh, and our country. Much has changed since I saw my first match. “Now we have 16 State Councils and more than 400 players around the country,” says Raj, a former para Olympic athlete who initiated this game in 2012 in India. Since then, India has won against Bangladesh in April 2018, and Pakistan in September 2018. However, there’s still a lot that needs change, in terms of funding and publicity. For tournaments, Wheelchair Cricket India usually depends on private sponsors. “The Government does not fund us. And as for cricket, it is largely a BCCI ambit,” says Raj, adding that, “though in its new constitution, it has included the term ‘disability’ in it. But so far no committee has been set up and no funds have been rolled out.” In terms of the way they play, Raj says it’s a game of the foot, with players allowed to field with their feet. When a batsman hits the ball, he leaves his bat aside and uses both his hands to manoeuvre the wheelchair. Somjeet Singh, 23, captain of the team says that the game has a number of tweaks: “A ball above the waist is a no ball, the boundary is around 45-50m long, and the pitch is 18 yards.” Singh is doing a master’s degree in social work, and believes “sports can help wheelchair-bound people to gain confidence.” Ranjay Paswan, 27, who served in the army until he had a spinal injury in the line of duty, was selected to play for the national team in February this year. “Today more than ever before, wheelchair-bound people can look at sports as their probable career opportunity,” he says. He has chosen it as a full-time career option, after trying out many other games. The initial days of being wheelchair-bound were had on him, but today, the idea of representing India makes him happy. At NKDA Stadium, New Town, Kolkata, 26th to 29th April

Groups running differently-abled cricket have joined hands to form DCCI, which was needed to get BCCI recognition. The Differently-Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) has been formed, a move that could pave way for the physically challenged cricketers to play under the BCCI logo. Groups running differently-abled cricket have joined hands to form DCCI, which was needed to get BCCI recognition. “The dream of Differently-Abled cricket players to play with the BCCI logo and represent India in recognized International tournaments may come true very soon. “With firm support from different groups running differently-abled cricket, the DCCI has been formed under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act,” a media release stated. Mahantesh GK, known for his contribution towards blind cricket, was unanimously elected as DCCI President. Ravi Chauhan, representing the Physically Challenged Cricket Association of India, Squadron leader (Retd) Abhai Pratap Singh representing Wheelchair Cricket India Association and Sumit Jain representing IDCA decided to come together to form a common body. It said that the suggestion came from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in a recent meeting with all the stake holders of disability cricket. Mr. Shah had suggested that BCCI was more eager to help in all forms of cricket including cricket for differently-abled. The Supreme Court appointed Lodha committee had also recommended in its report that cricket for differently-abled should be given a priority and efforts should be made to form a committee in the BCCI to run the game smoothly. Mr. Chauhan, who was elected as DCCI Secretary, said Shah’s guidance, support and vision has led to the formation of DCCI. “We are very thankful to the BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for continuous support and encouragement to differently-abled cricket players. With BCCI support, it can boost the cricket movement for the differently-abled cricket players,” said Mahantesh. The released added that currently thousands of differently-abled cricket players in the country are playing without any help.

While the national wheelchair cricket team has 14 players from various states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the association has 16 state teams under it. While cricket is revered as a religion, how many of us aware there is another cricket team in India that has not received its dues for over seven years? No, we are not talking about the Indian women’s cricket team, which thankfully in the last few years has managed to make people sit up and take notice of their wonders. We are talking about India’s wheelchair cricket team! In its first-ever meeting that took place on November 4, 2017, at Brahmanbaria in Bangladesh, the AWCC arrived at the unanimous decision that India would host the first Wheelchair Cricket Asia Cup in October 2018. WCI Vice-President and DPS Rohtak Principal Hector Ravinder Dutt explains that the Indian team was selected at a three-day camp from March 23-25 at DPS Rohtak. “We zeroed in on exceptional talents with the help of Ranji Trophy player and WCI coach Ankush Attry, who has been associated with us for the last two years,” he told TOI. The national team is playing against Bangladesh in a bilateral series from May 4-8. The national team captain is 21-year-old Somjeet Singh from Lucknow. Singh was born with a spinal tumour and has always used a wheelchair for mobility. He first started playing wheelchair cricket for rehabilitative purposes three years ago. He describes how WCI helped him not just improve his game but also overcome social anxiety and build self-confidence. “I used to suffer from social anxiety because I thought people always underestimate wheelchair users. Cricket has helped me get rid of those inhibitions and become a different person. I am confident that we will win this (bilateral series against Bangladesh) series,” Somjeet told TOI. While the rules of wheelchair and regular cricket are similar, 22-year-old coach Attry says that the ball used in wheelchair cricket is lighter by a few ounces. “Players need wheelchairs according to their height and build, to facilitate manoeuvrability. The game requires immense dedication and players need to work on building their upper body strength through a series of exercises and therapy. For example, when players run between the creases, they need to leave behind the bat since they use both hands to power the wheelchair and complete a run,” he told the publication. Vice-Captain Abhai Pratab Singh boasts of the ability of his team to strike sixers, “In cricket, players can strike the ball on the front or back foot. We have no feet but we still manage to hit sixes. I am sure as we go ahead, we will get more recognition, and more differently-abled (persons) will come out of their houses to make India truly accessible.” We hope these players receive recognition and support not just from cricket bodies but also the government and sports ministry, and that they don’t have to wait another seven years to get noticed! Wishing the Indian Wheelchair Cricket team the very best for their bilateral series, and hoping that they continue to make the country proud wherever they go. But at the same time, we wish India gives them a reason to be proud of her too!