‘My Youth My Pride’
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 14: Insha Bashir, one of the two wheelchair basketball players from Kashmir who was part of the Indian women’s wheelchair basketball team that won silver medal in an international tournament arrived here at a rousing reception in Srinagar.
Terming this as a proud moment, Insha said, “I am elated at the very thought of being part of the team that reached the final of the international event” adding, “The real success for me is to always do my best, learn from experience, try to improve develop and get better at every opportunity coming my way.
Insha also extended her thanks to the Sports Council and other organizations involved in the endeavor.
Pertinently, Insha was part of the selection cum training camp organized by the J&K Sports Council in Multipurpose Indoor Hall Shadipora, Sumbal Bandipora for the Indian Wheelchair Basketball team and had it teamed up with the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) and Voluntary Medicare Society (VMS) last month.
Around 16 female wheelchair players from different States of India shortlisted by WBFI were part of the camp and after a battery of selection trials, Insha and Ishrat made it to the national team for the first Invitational International Wheelchair Basketball tournament held in Jaypee Sports Complex, Greater Noida from 5th-11th of this month.
Earlier, a meeting under the chairmanship of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Joint Secretary was convened in the Administrative Complex of J&K Sports Council to finalize the arrangements for the grand reception of the medalists.
Speaking on the occasion, the Joint Secretary said that our athletes are our role models and they deserve every bit of appreciation for the hard work they put in to shine on national and international platforms. While Insha arrived in the afternoon, Ishrat is reaching tomorrow.
Meanwhile, para-swimmer Chandeep Singh, while participating in the Senior men’s S-6 category won 2 silver and one bronze medal in XXII National Para Swimming Championship-2022 held in Guwahati recently.
The event was held in Guwahati, Assam from 11-13 of this month and more than 500 para-swimmers from different states and Union Territories from all across the country participated in the event.
Terming the success of specially-abled athletes like Insha, Chandeep and Ishrat as an inspiration for all, Secretary Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull said that these athletes are the real torchbearers and their footprints are the beacon lights for others to take a cue and excel in their respective fields.
She said that the Sports Council is ready for the handholding of all such specially-abled athletes who wish to realize their potential and are ready to work hard.