60 specially-abled athletes participate in a Wheelchair Cricket Tournament
Spirituality & Human Values | Published: | 2 min read
A celebration of sports as a beacon of hope, happiness, and a platform for positive mental health, a very special Wheelchair Cricket Tournament, organized by Parishrama Divyang Sports Academy, got underway at The Art of Living International Center with 60 specially-abled athletes, including 35 male and 25 female athletes.
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June 8, 2024,
Bengaluru
A celebration of sports as a beacon of hope, happiness, and a platform for positive mental health, a very special Wheelchair Cricket Tournament, organized by Parishrama Divyang Sports Academy, got underway at The Art of Living International Center with 60 specially-abled athletes, including 35 male and 25 female athletes.
“The academy is bringing hope to all. Today when our youth is undergoing tremendous mental stress and they are faced with so many problems, you (specially-abled persons) are showing them the way to overcome it. You are telling them to be sporty in life; come what may and that they can rise above their problems. You are inspiring them to think big and have confidence. You have given a message to all to keep a strong and happy mind. Today every 40 seconds someone is committing suicide. You are giving hope, opening the door for people, and telling them to honor life and be sporty. Playing sports needs enthusiasm, inspiration, and meditation.”
The inaugural event was graced by global spiritual master and humanitarian leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar along with Mr. Sathyanarayana, Chairman of athletics, Paralympic Committee of India; Gopinath K, Managing Trustee, and International Para Badminton player; Dr. Ameya, Ex-Servicemen and Chief classifiers and Medical Director of Tokyo Paralympics; Dr Mangala Sridar, Former KPSE member, BBMP Corporator; Mr. Giridhar Kumar B, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sumadhura Group; Mrs. Jeevana Kalakundala, Sustainability and CSR Head, Sumadhura Group; Mrs.Ashwini Walawalkar, CEO of TCFM – Embassy Group.
“Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been encouraging sports for many years in his ashram,” said Mr. Sathyanarayana, Chairman of athletics, Paralympic Committee of India, “Today, Para Olympics sports are getting a lot of encouragement everywhere. There was no such encouragement before. Now the government is also very encouraging. What is required of differently-abled athletes is to practice daily regularly.”
The tournament will witness the men’s test match between the 8th and 9th of June and the women’s T20 match at the SSRVM Grounds.
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