KSCA launch rehab centre

In an attempt to offer quality injury assesment and intervention to the sportspersons of the State, the Karnataka State Cricket Association in collaboration with MS Ramaiah Memorial Hospital launched a rehabilitation centre here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday.

The facility, known as the KSCA-Ramaiah Sports Rehabilitation Centre, aims to prevent injuries by offering individualised plans for players based on their strengths. The centre will also look to help players enjoy early return to active sport through rehabilitation therapies.

Former India all-rounder Roger Binny, the chief guest of the event, believed that the centre had come at the need of the hour.

“During my playing days, I didn’t know what a rehabilitation centre was. In the middle of any tour, if any player suffered an injury, he would be sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. Today, the scenario has changed drastically. The Indian cricket team will go home if they are not provided with physios. Athletes are very particular about their fitness needs.  

“I feel the centre has been formed at the need of the hour. With this initiative, the KSCA is on the right track and credit goes to the association for launching the Centre,” Binny said.

All the facilities at the centre will be free of cost for Karnataka cricketers and KSCA members will be allowed to use the centre at discount rates. The centre is also open to sportspersons from disciplines apart from cricket and they will be charged nominal prices.

The services at the centre, which boasts of equipments worth Rs 25 lakh, include, acute care management and exercise planning, advanced assessments and treatment strategies. After the assessment, incases of advanced treatments, players will be sent to Ramaiah hospital.  

“With the amount of cricket that is played in a year, injuries are bound to occur. Quality assesment to injuries is important to help players get back to the field without much delay,” said Brijesh Patel, secretary, KSCA.

Patel added that high standard facilities for players weren’t available during his days as a player. “When I was a player, in one of the tours, we received a physio who had just completed a 15-day course on physiotherapy. He struggled to understand our demands and often gave wrong medications and inputs. Having endured such experiences, I realise the need of a high quality centre for players.” 

Dr DV Guruprasad, CEO, Gokula Education Foundation, Dr Naresh Shetty, Orthopedic Surgeon and President of Ramaiah Memorial Hospital,  Pradeep Kumar, renowned swimming coach and Indian para-swimmer Niranjan Mukundan, were also present at the event.