2 from city make it to I’ntl Wheelchair Cricket tourney

Undeterred by disabilities, two Bengalureans are all set to represent India at the bilateral Wheelchair Cricket competition between India and Pakistan at Dubai from September 15.

Shivaprasad S and Tippeswamy Madiwal have been chosen by the Wheelchair Cricket India (WCI) to be part of the Indian team.

Shivaprasad (32), who works as an HR personnel in a private company, is 80% disabled as he developed polio at a very young age.

He, along with other like-minded people, started Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy in 2016 to encourage people with disabilities to participate in various cricket and tennis tournaments.

“We are selected for the team, but we do not have any sponsors. Though the WCI will take care of our expenses from Delhi and thereafter to Dubai, to reach Delhi, each player requires a minimum of Rs 25,000, which include travel and stay,” said Shivaprasad.

“Somehow we are able to mobilise the funds through the academy,” he added.

He has been practising cricket for over two years every Sunday.

Speaking about his teammate, Shivaprasad said Tippeswamy is a good batsman.

“Though there is a lot of talent, it needs encouragement and sponsorship to participate in tournaments. Uttar Pradesh has a large number of players than any other state,” he added.

Surgery gone wrong

A wrong surgery on his leg left Tippeswamy Madiwal (30) use a single crutch all his life.

Tippeswamy works as a transplant coordinator at Jeevasarthakathe, which counsels the family of brain-dead patients to donate organs. He encourages the family to give consent for organ donation.

“Although I can play cricket standing despite disability, the wheelchair cricket is a different ball game and a challenge too,” added Tippeswamy.\

The duo is all set to join the Indian cricket team for the tournament from September 15 to 22 at Dubai.