In the last one decade, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has succeeded in bringing Para badminton to the Paralympic Games. Despite having an impressive list of focus areas for development, there are questions yet to be answered with regards to their requisite investment within these areas to make the Para badminton more accessible for everyone. […]
Author: Padmini
The g-force of Indian Para badminton: Gaurav Khanna
The story of how one person controls India’s Para badminton scene. Complete lack of government oversight permits disability rights violation. Possible solutions on how to address these challenges facing Indian para badminton
Of the Ekalavyas and Arjunas that make India’s Dronacharyas
I woke up this morning to many missed calls and messages. Players, friends from Indian Paralympics and former players expressing absolute disappointment at finding the name of a nominee in a list recommended to the ministry. And for the nth time I spent a good part of my day listening to how depressing it is […]
Sport Governance Fails: Paralympic India Today
“Upon withdrawal of recognition the NSF will cease to exercise the functions of the NSF for the concerned sport discipline. It shall forego the right to regulate and control the sport in India and select the national teams and represent India in international sports events and forums. It will also become ineligible to use India […]
Managing the Medals: A Peek into India’s Paralympic World
“You see, what you promise for the future, is strengthened by what you have done in the past. You have done nothing in the past, and promise everything in the future, your credibility suffers!” India’s former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao said this in response to Shekar Gupta’s question about why discussions about India’s political […]
Disorganization of the Organized: The Wheelchair Basketball Story of India
About an year ago, I started publishing the findings from my field research about wheelchair basketball publicly. For about three weeks after that, there were sporadic discussions for and against my findings mostly only among the people who either played or managed (or coached) the sport. Many players and coaches personally communicated with me their […]
Incorrect Facts and Misplaced Perceptions: WBFI’s Response to Another Side of WCBB in India
Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI) released a statement on 20th December, 2018. This official statement is being issued with the approval of the Executive Committee of the WBFI. This is necessitated because some individuals are using social media to spread views about the WBFI and its governance which are not only defamatory but also […]
Wheelchair Basketball in India: An Other Side of the Coin
“Is there another one cropping up?” I say, “No! they are trying to work together” “Thank God! that would be a disaster for the sport!” These lines gave me the much needed start to openly write about my learnings from the wheelchair basketball (WCBB) scene in India. Often times when a context is not established […]
May 11, 2018: Email to PCI; CC: , WBFI, ICRC, secy-sports@nic.in
Below is the email communication sent to (a) Paralympic Committee of India with copies marked to: (b) Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (c) ICRC Representative who regularly works within the Wheelchair Basketball ecosystem in India (d) Sports Secretary’s Office, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports To, The Paralympic Committee of India, New Delhi/ Bangalore, […]
Quotes from all over India
This list of quotes will be a work-in-progress from all conversations I share with Indians who have disabilities and are attempting to seek full participation in organized AdaptedSportsIndia programs within the country. WheelChair Basketball Players, Coaches & Administrators There are no clear cut guidelines Padmini! There is so much confusion about everything and such lack of […]