Para sports must emphasize participation

Onkar Kedia

(The author is the Director General of Sports Authority of Assam. Views expressed in the article are personal. He can be reached at okedia@gmail.com)

Normally, when we talk of sports, we think of sports for the able-bodied. We forget that as per the Census of 2011, there are 2.68 crore persons with disabilities who constitute 2.21 per cent of the total population of the country. These include persons with visual, hearing, speech and locomotive disability, mental retardation, etc. Such a large section of population cannot be ignored in formulation and implementation of sports policies and programmes.

Sports can bring cheer to the otherwise drab lives of 'Divyangjans' or persons with disabilities, give them self-confidence and make them physically fit. Their sporting performance can bring glory to the nation. When someone wins a medal in Paralympics, a major international multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities, the nation feels proud just as it does when someone wins a medal in Olympics.

Manasi Joshi, a para-Badminton player, recently appeared on the cover page of the Time Magazine. She was chosen as one of the ten rising stars shaping our world. Manasi had lost her one leg in an accident in 2011, but with sheer hard work and determination, she went on to become one of the top players in the world in her category. Such examples can change the society's perceptions about disability.

Children with disabilities need more facilities than able-bodied children. They need someone to motivate them to come to the playfield and discover the joy of sports. They need disabled-friendly sports infrastructure and hostel facilities, specialized coaches and above all recognition.

Unfortunately, facilities for para sports including at the school level are few and far between. The National Education Policy 2020 recognizes the importance of creating enabling mechanisms for providing children with special needs the same opportunities as any other child. Ensuring the inclusion and equal participation of children with disabilities in the schooling system will be accorded the highest priority. Schools/school complexes will be provided resources for the integration of children with disabilities, recruitment of special educators with cross-disability training, and establishment of resource centres, wherever needed, especially for children with severe or multiple disabilities. Barrier-free access for all children with disabilities will be enabled. Schools and school complexes will work and be supported for providing children with disabilities accommodation and support mechanisms according to their needs. This will apply to all school activities including sports. Adequate attention will be paid to the safety and security of children with disabilities.

Hopefully, the New Education Policy will enable children with disabilities to join and excel in sports in large numbers. This will lead to much better performance by our athletes in major competitions like Paralympic Games.

The Integrated Sports Policy of Assam, 2017-18 also pays due attention to sports for persons with disabilities. One of the objectives of the policy is to promote sports for specially-abled individuals. The policy vows to make sports infrastructure specially-abled friendly and promote sports among such persons. It says that the State Sports Association representing sports for the specially-abled will be treated at par with other associations. In addition, it is intended to formulate a separate scheme to meet their needs in the area of specialized training, infrastructure, training equipment and coaching. They will also be eligible for cash awards at par with other athletes. The scheme of grant of scholarships to outstanding athletes for preparation and training will also be available to specially-abled sportspersons in respect of Paralympic Games.

Para-athletes from the State have won several National medals and include international players like Chiranjita Bharali in Para-Badminton and Biswajit Ray in Para-Taekwondo. Paralympic Association of Assam has been sending the Assam team to Para Nationals and has been conducting the Para State Games. Currently, Assam has about 400 registered Para Athletes training in various districts.

A lot still needs to be done. Sports facilities have to be created for para athletes. Coaches have to be groomed. Competitions have to be organized. In schools, where children start playing sports, there has to be trained teachers, basic infrastructure and equipment. Barrier-free environment has to be ensured. Such children need to be handled sensitively. There has to be early identification of talent and then there should be some academies where talented children can get the best of training and can be groomed for national and major international sports competitions.

Para-sports should be seen as a part of the programme of social development and inclusion. Emphasis should be put on large-scale participation. If there is good participation, there will be more number of players available at the elite level as well.

It is not always a medal which we need to pursue. A smile on the lips of a physically or mentally challenged child can be worth much more than a medal. Sports has the capability to generate such a smile.