Mysuru: The Paralympic Volleyball Federation of India (PVFI) will be organising a two-day 2nd Para Volleyball India-Sri Lanka Peace Tournament (Standing) at Chamundi Vihar stadium on November 12 and 13. During the event, two matches will be played.
H Chandrashekar, President of PVFI said, “For the second time in Mysuru, Indo-Sri Lanka Paralympic standing volleyball tournament will be played. The 13-member team will be led by Nishanth under the watchful eyes of N Ramesha who is training the Paralympic volleyball team for the past three years. Indian team has already arrived and undergoing rigorous training while their counterpart Sri Lankan team will be arriving in Mysuru on November 10. Initially the matches were to be held in Hassan but due to facility available in the stadium and good ambience in Mysuru it was shifted to Mysuru”.
Chandrashekar who was also instrumental in shaping Olympic medalist in Paralympic Deepa Malick’s career also lauded Sports Minister Pramod Madhwaraj for their initiative in giving equal importance to Paralympic sportspersons and competitions. “In the recently concluded Riyo Olympic, compared to normal sportspersons, the physically challenged have come out with more number of medals. Hence keeping this in mind, the government should give equal importance to Paralympic. They should also start providing more facilities to promising Paralympic sportspersons”, added Chandrashekar. The inauguration will be held on November 12 at 2 pm. MLA Somashekar and Deputy Commissioner D Randeep will be the chief guests. Prize distribution will be held on November 13.
Ramesh, coach of Indian team said, “Training Paralympic volleyball team needs special attention. For normal volleyball players, the fitness and exercises will be common but here we need to focus and give attention on each and every individual because the disability will be different from individual to individual. Based on their disability we should give them training. The team looks in good shape; good in attacking but there is scope for improvement towards setting skills. We are confident of doing well in the tournament”.
National Championship:
Chandrashekar also mentioned that the Federation will be conducting 6th Senior Sitting Para-Volleyball National Championship 2016 (Men) at Chamundi Vihar Stadium from December 16 to 18. The championship will witness 16 teams from across the country. The winners will take home Rs 1 Lakh and attractive trophies.
Women Paralympic Volleyball Team undergoing Training:
For the first time, Olympic Association has introduced women Paralympic volleyball (sitting) team in the next Olympic competition to be held in Tokyo. Hence keeping this in mind, Chandrashekar has also initiated “talent hunt” programme to prepare a good Indian women Paralympic volleyball team. In Karnataka, the Federation has identified 30 girls and started training them in Chamundi Vihar Stadium. The training is happening every Sunday by qualified coaches.
