<p class="title">Sagar (21) lost his legs in a road accident a few years ago. He is now an opening batsman for the Karnataka wheelchair cricket team.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Until a few years ago, Sagar never imagined he would pick up the cricket bat again. His life took a turn for the better when he watched the state's first inter-state wheelchair cricket tournament organised by the Bengaluru-based Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The academy was founded by Shiva Prasad, who ranks fifth nationwide in wheelchair tennis, along with his four para-athlete friends, to train the disabled in wheelchair cricket and wheelchair tennis. The academy has helped many differently abled in Karnataka realise their dreams of taking part in sports. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The not-for-profit academy is the first in the state to train differently-abled sportspersons, Prasad says. This year, it hosted the state's first inter-state wheelchair cricket tournament. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Cricket players make millions while playing for the country but para-athletes get little help from the government in terms of sponsorship and training, Prasad said with a sadness on his face. "A lot of para-athletes give up sports for lack of support from the government. It was one of the major reasons that led us to start this organisation," he added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In the coming days, the academy will provide beginner, intermediate and advanced training in wheelchair basketball, cycling and para-badminton. </p>
<p class="title">Sagar (21) lost his legs in a road accident a few years ago. He is now an opening batsman for the Karnataka wheelchair cricket team.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Until a few years ago, Sagar never imagined he would pick up the cricket bat again. His life took a turn for the better when he watched the state's first inter-state wheelchair cricket tournament organised by the Bengaluru-based Divyaang Myithri Sports Academy. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The academy was founded by Shiva Prasad, who ranks fifth nationwide in wheelchair tennis, along with his four para-athlete friends, to train the disabled in wheelchair cricket and wheelchair tennis. The academy has helped many differently abled in Karnataka realise their dreams of taking part in sports. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The not-for-profit academy is the first in the state to train differently-abled sportspersons, Prasad says. This year, it hosted the state's first inter-state wheelchair cricket tournament. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Cricket players make millions while playing for the country but para-athletes get little help from the government in terms of sponsorship and training, Prasad said with a sadness on his face. "A lot of para-athletes give up sports for lack of support from the government. It was one of the major reasons that led us to start this organisation," he added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">In the coming days, the academy will provide beginner, intermediate and advanced training in wheelchair basketball, cycling and para-badminton. </p>
