BANGALORE: The National Paralympics Wheelchair Tennis Championship kicked off in the city on December 10 for the second time at the Karanataka State Lawn Tennis Association Stadium in Cubbon Park.The tournament had participants from Delhi, Gujarat and our very own Karanataka. The final round of the championship is scheduled to take place 1.30 pm onwards today. The tournament saw over 35 participants from all over India.“We are all puppets when fate plays its role,” said Shekar, a national level coach and tennis champion.Initially, he told us that he had met with a road accident and fell off the bike. However when he couldn’t hold back his emotions, with tears in his eyes he said, “It was like any other day. I was coaching the students at the tennis court. Suddenly when a gang of people attacked me, with sticks and machete. One of them attacked my leg with a machete, for a mistake that my friend committed. When I was taken to the hospital, the medication didn’t help. In fact it worsened. Soon the wound became toxic and they had to chop off my leg.”This happened to him a year ago and now he’s back and guides the youth to follow their dreams.Another participant representing Karanataka from Bellary Thimmana K said, “I was always a sports person during my school and college days. When I got married, I had to take up the responsibility and support my partner. So I joined Jescom and worked as an electrician. While I was fixing some high tension cables, due to a miscommunication, the company turned on the main. I was electrocuted by 11,000 volts, this burnt my bones on my feet and right hand.”Despite the right hand being his favoured hand, he managed to train his left and represents the state in discuss, shot put, javelin throw and now even lawn tennis in the paralympics category.“There is one thing no one can take from you. That is determination and self-confidence,” said Madhusudhan. Anyone can say these words. But, he is no ordinary person.His sense of humour makes everyone forget about all their worries. He is a 16-year-old lad from the city, and lives to tell a story that inspires the listeners.Smiling at his past, he said, “ When I was 13, I was travelling to meet my grandparents by train. I remember sitting at the door step and enjoying the scenery. Just before my stop arrived, I stood up to get my bags, that’s when I lost balance and fell on the tracks.” With a bigger smile he added, “The train crushed my legs. To my luck this happened near a station, so I was rushed to the hospital immediately.”Not finding a reason to stop studying, he continued with his SSLC after the incident and is on the path of being a graphic designer.He said, “ I live with my mother. She supports my sister and I by helping others with domestic work. If not for that, I am independent, travel alone and attend several events.”This happy-go-lucky lad, is looking forward to participate in all the paralympics tournaments that happens in the state. Everyone has a different reaction towards the physically challenged, few stare, few make fun of them, few show pity towards them and their are few who thank God for not being like them.Another participant called Joseph who was struck with tricuspid valve at the age of eight said, “ I am paralysed from my abdomen. I can’t be independent.I have to always sit in one position and need help if I have get up or sleep.When I move around the city, there are few people who help me out and others watch me with a question mark on their face. This doesn’t hurt me at all. When I come back to the association, my friends and I share a few laughs about the various things we see during the day. There is nothing wrong with people looking at us. It is just that some times the way they look at us is funny.”Everyone needs their fun, irrespective of how or who they are. And, the tournament is an opportunity for the challenged to break free and feel good as new.
Comments
0 comment