NEW DELHI: Life may also be harsh and check anyone's strength of mind with all its severity. But if there's perseverance, it could actually force open the doorways also.
Ask Somjeet Singh or squadron leader Abhay Partab Singh.
They are part of an Indian cricket group - the Indian wheelchair cricket group, which successfully completed its first world tour of Bangladesh. It was their dream to put on the nationwide jersey however additionally they needed a dream service provider.
Enter Sachin Tendulkar, who knew how it feels to put on that blue jersey.
A month back, 36-year-old Pradeep Raj, who is the secretary of the Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI), was looking to lift price range to the tune of Rs 6.five lakh in order that the Indian group may just shuttle to Bangladesh for a bilateral collection.
It was then the idea of writing to Tendulkar crossed his thoughts.
"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 mentioned.
"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 Bangladesh. The financial help provided by him went a long way in booking air tickets for the 19-member team," Raj mentioned.
"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 mentioned.
The Indian group beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the three match collection.
"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 knowledgeable.
For him greater than the money, anyone like Tendulkar throwing his weight at the back of the physically challenged athletes is a huge 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 fits are held in T20 format. They are attempting to make use of lighter balls (used for girls's cricket). If the wheelchair is utilized by batsman to hinder a supply, then he's adjudged lbw. The boundaries are at 45 yards.
"In the Indian team, there are different stories. There are players, who have had their legs amputated 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 mentioned.
Raj's own tale isn't any much less attention-grabbing. While he still competes in para-TT occasions, he's the guts and soul of wheelchair cricket motion in India. Para-Sports has now not simplest given him a function in life nevertheless 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.
Ask Somjeet Singh or squadron leader Abhay Partab Singh.
They are part of an Indian cricket group - the Indian wheelchair cricket group, which successfully completed its first world tour of Bangladesh. It was their dream to put on the nationwide jersey however additionally they needed a dream service provider.
Enter Sachin Tendulkar, who knew how it feels to put on that blue jersey.
A month back, 36-year-old Pradeep Raj, who is the secretary of the Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI), was looking to lift price range to the tune of Rs 6.five lakh in order that the Indian group may just shuttle to Bangladesh for a bilateral collection.
It was then the idea of writing to Tendulkar crossed his thoughts.
"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 mentioned.
"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 Bangladesh. The financial help provided by him went a long way in booking air tickets for the 19-member team," Raj mentioned.
"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 mentioned.
The Indian group beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the three match collection.
"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 knowledgeable.
For him greater than the money, anyone like Tendulkar throwing his weight at the back of the physically challenged athletes is a huge 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 fits are held in T20 format. They are attempting to make use of lighter balls (used for girls's cricket). If the wheelchair is utilized by batsman to hinder a supply, then he's adjudged lbw. The boundaries are at 45 yards.
"In the Indian team, there are different stories. There are players, who have had their legs amputated 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 mentioned.
Raj's own tale isn't any much less attention-grabbing. While he still competes in para-TT occasions, he's the guts and soul of wheelchair cricket motion in India. Para-Sports has now not simplest given him a function in life nevertheless 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.
When Sachin helped Indian wheelchair team realise its dream
![When Sachin helped Indian wheelchair team realise its dream]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
May 15, 2018
Rating:
