Panaji: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Goa’s tennis circuit, wheelchair-bound physically disabled athletes will get a chance to showcase their skills on-court and compete in the upcoming Wheelchair Tennis Challenger Tournament at the Baale BPS Open 2.0.
Organised by the BPS Sports Club, Margao, the tournament provides an inclusive platform for tennis players with disabilities. Registrations across various categories for the Baale BPS Open 2.0 and Wheelchair Tennis Challenger Tournament will soon open.
A practice session was recently held at the Margao-based club for para-athletes and tennis enthusiasts interested in registering for the tournament, where tennis coach Suresh Kadam trained them to hone tennis skills adapted for wheelchair users, further igniting their drive to explore new avenues for the sport in Goa.
“We’re very excited to play tennis and participate in the upcoming Wheelchair Tennis Challenger Tournament at BPS Sports Club, Margao. I am grateful to the team at BPS Sports Club for organising this tennis training session, as many have come to practice from across Goa. We now feel motivated to play tennis, and if there are state-level tournaments in the future, we will definitely take part in them and win!” said Vasco-based Moises Rodrigues, a para-athlete who has secured first place in the Para-Table Tennis Tournament Goa 2023, second place in the discus throw and came third in the javelin throw at the State Para Athletics Championship 2023-24.
Another wheelchair-bound athlete, Vishant Nagvekar, a Forest Department official, who has participated in adaptive sports like wheelchair cricket, basketball, table tennis, and badminton at the International Purple Fest Goa, stated, “We are grateful to BPS Sports Club and sports chairman of BPS Sports Club Vikram Verlekar for providing us with the opportunity to play tennis and participate in this tournament. The inclusion of individuals with disabilities in sports is a fundamental right. This is the first time wheelchair tennis is being held in Goa, and it’s great motivation for us all”.
According to coach Suresh Kadam, the tournament aims to “encourage young-at-heart athletes to follow their tennis dreams. It is incredible to see players on wheelchairs play at nearly professional levels. I hope many wheelchair users participate in this initiative”.
Supporting adaptive sports is the need of the hour, said Yogiraj Kamat, president of BPS Sports Club, Margao. “This tournament promotes inclusivity and gives players with all skill sets a chance to shine. It shows how sports can bring people together and break barriers. By supporting adaptive sports, we are encouraging more people to join and appreciate the talents of differently-abled athletes,” he stated.
According to Vikram Verlekar, sports chairman of BPS Sports Club, Margao, who conceptualised the tournament commencing on February 22, the Wheelchair Tennis Challenger Tournament came to fruition out of a desire to aid tennis players with disabilities in showcasing their talents for the first time in Goa.
“BPS Sports Club recently gave us the opportunity to utilise the courts to organise a mock coaching session for tennis players in wheelchairs by our coach, Suresh Kadam. I anticipate that these players will one day go on to represent and win laurels for Goa,” Verlekar also said, adding that the support of Ashwin Chandiok of Baale Resorts was critical for the event’s organisation.
A few participants in the training session have also taken part in notable adaptive sports tournaments like the District-Level Para-Table Tennis Tournament Goa, All Goa Para-Table Tennis Tournament, District Para-Badminton Tournament Goa, UTT National Ranking Para-Table Tennis, National Para-Badminton Championship, Para-Table Tennis at Purple Fest 2023, Wheelchair Cricket at International Purple Fest Goa 2024, Wheelchair Basketball International Purple Fest Goa 2024, Boccia International Purple Fest Goa 2024, and Khelo India Para Games.
The Wheelchair Tennis Challenger Tournament marks another milestone in the recent, sustained push to make sports accessible and inclusive to all in Goa, highlighted by Sports Minister Govind Gaude’s recent statement outlining a plan to grant para-athletes exclusive access to at least one major training facility in Goa to practice and prepare for tournaments.
