Story by Red Crew volunteer Lai Jun Wei. Photos courtesy of Singapore Disability Sports Council.
Sometime back, I came across an article on ‘Wheelchair Basketball’. Curious, I started to explore further.
Reading the article, basketball athletes need not necessarily be tall and aggressive. Even if one is on a wheelchair, an equally exciting game can be played.
Two years ago, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student had to give up his passion for football due to an injury which caused him to lose the functionality of his lower limbs. On the spur of the moment, he introduced a new CCA – wheelchair basketball.
Wheelpower, as the CCA is known, is endorsed by the Singapore Disability Sports Council. Under their help, Wheelpower received sponsorship for special basketball wheelchairs from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). This has now allowed them to show off their prowess on the basketball court!
Not only does Wheelpower comprise of disabled athletes, able-bodied students also take part. Initially, these students often ask in condescending tones “I have my four limbs intact. Why should I join wheelchair basketball?” Have more fun with dolphins pearl deluxe. But slowly, these students got to understand a pressing issue. Many public facilities now lack accessibility for the disabled. This has caused great inconvenience to disabled athletes.
Every week, Wheelpower will organise a friendly match. For safety purposes, their wheelchairs are equipped with an additional anti-skid wheel at the back. This also adds to the rigidity and prevention of the chair flipping backwards during play. Wheelchair basketball is a contact sport and it is no surprise seeing athletes maneuvering and reaching over one another to grab the ball. This sport tests wheelchairs to the limit. An average wheelchair weighs about 12kg and costs approximately USD 1500.
Interestingly, Wheelchair Basketball is played in over 77 countries and is governed by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation. It largely follows the major rules set by FIBA and is a regular sport featured in the Paralympic Games.
Singapore actually has its own Wheelchair Basketball team which participates regularly in international tournaments. They did not miss the 2007 Korat edition of the SEA Games, though they fell short of bringing home a medal.
For those who are interested in supporting the Singapore Disability Sports Council and their programmes, there is a charity premier of Speed Racer on May 6 at GV Vivo City, 9 p.m. For more information, log on to Singapore Disability Sports Council.
i am a wheelchair bound man and i love sports because it gives me new friends and keeps me fit. i would love more sports opportunities to be created for the disables such as us.
cool