Sports Event for Persons with Disabilities

55 Wheelchair Athletes, 9 visually impaired Athletes, 100s of spectators and a full day of Unlimited Fun! This is the gist of the full day event; “3^rd National Para-Swimming Tournament- 2014” and “Valley wide Wheelchair Basketball Tournament-2014” organized by Nepal Spinal Cord Injury Sports Association (NSCISA) at the premises of Himalayan International Model School (HIMS), Jorpati, Kathmandu on July 19, 2014. As a Project Coordinator, I feel proud to be a part of it. The event was supported by Ministry of Youth and Sports, Nepal Paralympic Committee, Rotary Club of Kastamandap, Lions Club of Kathmandu (Ability of Disabilities), ENGAGE, Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Centre, HIMS and Leo Club of Nawalparasi Ramgram.

3^rd National Para-Swimming Tournament- 2014

11 Wheelchair users (5 male and 6 female) and 9 Visually Impaired (5 Completely Blind and 4 Partially Blind) participated at the event. “This is the first ever tournament to incorporate visually impaired swimmers in Nepal”. Thanks to the partnership with Blind Sports Association and its president Mr. Pawan Ghimire, who also is working tirelessly to raise fund to participate in 4^th Blind Cricket World Cup in South Africa.

Some of the participants were new to swimming and were provided orientation with two weeks of training prior to the event day. Lack of training could be seen among visually impaired (completely blind) as they were deviating from their course. Otherwise, the timing noted below would have been different. However, their first ever involvement in swimming was well encouraged by the viewers and the chief guest; hon’ble CA member Mr. Rameshwar Phuyal throughout the event.

(For more details: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.422594817880623.1073741864.138...)

Valley wide Wheelchair Basketball Tournament-2014

Wheelchair Basketball is probably the most popular sports for persons with disability in Nepal. Five Male teams and two Female teams participated in the tournament. Played in round robin rule, Nepal Army team won all the matches and bagged Gold in Male Category, whereas Wheelchair Basketball Association Nepal Team came second followed by NSCISA Jorpati Team. Similarly, Nepal Spinal Cord Injury Sports Association Team edged the only opponent Wheelchair Sports Association Team by 4-0 score to clinch Gold in female category.

(For more details: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.422617864544985.1073741865.138...) 

The support of ENGAGE corps was instrumental in conducting the basketball matches as five of them volunteered all day as match officials whilst managing the team they coach every weekends.

Hope we have much partnerships in coming days and together work towards the development of sports for persons with disabilities.