Disabled Sports in India – A Perspective

I’m pals with Palsy man!exclaimed Rohit (name changed), although with a slight difficulty, as he slowly got up and looked at the bewildered crowd around him. He had just defeated a supposedly “normal” competitor at a game of chess. It was the finals of a prestigious inter college tournament and his statement was in response to an unassuming HOW he heard.

Rohit had been affected with Cerebral Palsy in his childhood and had difficulty with his movements and speech since as long as he could remember. But his brain was sharp as ever. He had managed to attend and excel at a normal school and college and had worked as a copywriter at an advertising firm before joining a top notch B School.

This was not the first HOW he had heard in his life. Nor is it for innumerable more like him who are affected with one or the other form of impairment and yet go on to do well in their lives and sport careers. Case in point, multiple medal winners who have represented India at the world stage in different Paralympic Games, most notably at Rio 2016 where we won 4 medals including 2 Golds.

However, more often than not, such examples are few and far in between. Many of them manage to do so with their indomitable spirit and will power coupled with tremendous support from their families, friends and the system. On the flip side, it is a fact that the attitude of a considerably large section of the society towards impaired population in general, and athletes in particular, is apathetic to say the least. The government has been doing its part in enabling sports infrastructure and facilities for disabled sportspersons, but it may never be enough.

Through the Khelo India Scheme launched in 2015, the government had earmarked INR 4 Crores annually for Sports & Games for the disabled, of a total budgetary provision of INR 500 Crore (source). Through another set of operational guidelines on “Promotion of Sports among persons with disabilities” released in 2017 this amount was revised to INR 15 Crore (source). The implementation has been entrusted to the following sport bodies

• Para Olympics Committee of India (for physically disabled sportspersons)
• Special Olympics Bharat (for the intellectually disabled)
• All India Sports Council of Deaf (for sportspersons with hearing or speech impairment)

Although miniscule compared to developed nations and perhaps not enough, it’s a step in the right direction.

However, the real onus of promoting disabled sports in India lies with the society, the community. It lies with us. Unless majority of us start treating disabled sportspersons at an even keel, it would be difficult to imagine a future where India dominates the world in disabled sports as it does in so many of other sports right now. There are multiple ways to contribute and be a part of this journey, just celebrating their successes and providing encouragement not being the least of all.

The success of Indian Blind Cricket Team at the global level is a prime example of how sustained efforts can lead to tremendous results. The team has already won two World Cups and multiple other tournaments. Samarthanam, through its cricketing arm CABI has been instrumental in shaping this success over the years. Through promoting Blind Cricket at the grassroot level, it has been a great inspiration for visually impaired cricketers and has reminded everyone that disability if, anything, is only in the mind.

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There, however, is a long way to go for disabled sports in India and the success in Cricket could only be repeated in other sports through citizen led initiatives, be it supporting such initiatives through your time and efforts or otherwise. As everyone would agree, the potential in India is tremendous and it’s only a matter of time, encouragement, efforts and support before this potential turns into resounding success at a global level.So, the next time you see a disabled sportsperson doing something remarkable even in your neighborhood, don’t just ask “HOW”. Instead ask, “How can I help?”. This small change in our attitudes will surely go a long way in making a difference in the lives of those who were blessed by the nature in a way different than you. And of course, it’s a matter of national pride, isn’t it?