In 2008, Nikhil Gupta was a 25-year-old software program engineer when he suffered a spinal wire damage that left him quadriplegic. Nevertheless, Gupta refused to let his incapacity outline him and as a substitute, he turned to wheelchair rugby and have become a global champion.
The 40-year-old now leads the Wheelchair Rugby Federation of India and practices at the Noida Stadium in Sector 21A, inspiring others like him to guide an energetic life regardless of being wheelchair-bound.
Gupta was part of a crew of nationwide and worldwide gamers who held an exhibition match to commemorate Spinal Wire Harm Day as part of the continuing Nationwide Harm Prevention Week (September 1-7) at Noida Indoor Stadium.
“Initially, I felt like I had misplaced the whole lot after my accident,” Gupta stated. “However throughout remedy, I found this sport of wheelchair rugby, which was solely being performed as recreation at that point. However I made a decision to take it additional and in 2014, based the federation and have represented India at three worldwide tournaments.”
Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact sport that’s performed by two groups of 4 gamers every. The gamers use their wheelchairs to propel themselves across the courtroom and rating factors by passing the ball via the opponent’s aim.
Gupta is a key member of the Indian wheelchair rugby crew. He’s recognized for his velocity, agility, and energy. He’s additionally a passionate advocate for the game and is dedicated to elevating consciousness of spinal wire accidents.
“I need to encourage others who’ve been injured to by no means surrender on their desires,” Gupta stated.
The exhibition match at Noida Indoor Stadium was attended by over 100 wheelchair customers, who additionally participated in different wheelchair sports akin to wheelchair basketball, wheelchair soccer, and wheelchair hurdles.
Whereas the entire occasion happened in bodily mode at Noida, it was streamed nearly in different cities together with Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Cuttack, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Patna, and Bhopal.
23-year-old Sooraj Gautam stated that he completely loved the hurdle race. “In Could 2020, the roof of our home collapsed, and my backbone received injured, leaving me wheelchair certain. I used to dream of turning into a dancer, however proper now I’m not certain what I’ll do in my life. I’m solely centered on taking remedy so I can stroll once more sometime,” stated Gautam, who’s a resident of Bhadohi and takes remedy at a Neuro Rehabilitation centre referred to as ‘Mission Stroll’ in Larger Noida, which gives remedy to survivors coming from lower-economic backgrounds at inexpensive charges.
The occasion additionally featured high-energy cultural dance performances and wheelchair stunts by professionals.
Dr. Harvinder Singh Chhabra, president of the Spinal Wire Society, stated that the occasion was an effective way to boost consciousness of spinal wire accidents and to advertise wheelchair sports.
“Via the wheelchair sports and dance actions right this moment we wished to unfold the message that able-bodied ought to take a cue from innumerable examples of individuals in wheelchairs who not solely overcome the problem posed by their incapacity utilizing the ability of the thoughts, their particular talents and staying constructive, but additionally come out stronger and extra profitable reaching nice targets,” stated Dr. Chhabra.
The third version of Nationwide Harm Prevention Week is being noticed beneath the aegis of the Directorate of Common of Well being Companies (DGHS), Ministry of Well being & Household Welfare (MoHFW), Authorities of India.
