Page 57 - Sportability

From the point of view of inclusion in sports, “Inclusion friends continues to bring me happiness and pride.
only becomes inclusion when persons with disabilities This experience taught me that the process of achieving
are not just present but engaged in meaningful inclusion is crucial. While opportunities may arise,
ways. Persons with disabilities need to be a part of their true accessibility lies in how smoothly they can be
all inclusion initiatives in and through sports. When explored and embraced.
sport is not fully inclusive of persons with disabilities,
it neglects a critical population that has a rightful and According to Joe Kuseka, the importance of inclusive
central place in the sporting environment”.¹ Taking sports programs in empowering individuals with
from here, it becomes essential to acknowledge that disabilities is the need of the hour. Inclusive sports play
inclusion not only in sports but also other various a pivotal role in not only breaking down barriers but also
activities happening in the society becomes significant in challenging societal perceptions. The main barriers to
too. Moreover, if we specifically consider ‘sports’ the participation of disabled people in sports are the lack
then let’s see what sports is! To me, in simple words, of accessible infrastructure and facilities that cater to
sports mean participation in various activities, be it the specific needs of disabled athletes². Many initiatives
games, walks, excursions or merely completing all helped Persons with Disabilities achieve success in
my daily routines and responsibilities related to work sports. For instance, the examples of Kudakwashe
and in person. In my opinion, it is more about mental Mapira and Douglas Masiyazi, both physically disabled
capacity rather than physical which leads to one’s footballers are examples of the transformative impact
ease when mental space is provided by others in one’s of sports on Persons with disabilities.
circle. This ease leads to pushing oneself to take on the
challenge and move ahead through that activity. It is In contrast, during my school years, I was never asked
about a positive competition where your limitation is to participate in such activities. I remember I was made
understood and still, the opportunity is provided to you to sit and watch while other students played. Even in
to be worked out by you at your pace. For instance, when the evenings, my siblings, cousins, and neighborhood
at my workplace everyone is supposed to walk a certain friends played and I watched them. But this was a better
distance to attend a community event, I am not asked group as sometimes they involved me by relaxing
to sit back but encouraged to walk at my pace whether the rules of the games they used to play. It made me
with a company or not as per my convenience at that feel connected and I cherished those moments. Such
moment. This helps in bringing the best in everyone. emotional support means encouragement and further
My participation in such public events does promote direction.
social inclusion and diversity. Such occasions become
powerful tools in changing not only one’s self-image When I was admitted into Delhi University’s four-
but also other’s perceptions about equal opportunities. year integrated teacher training course, Bachelor of
Elementary Education, my personality gradually started
To make inclusivity possible, accessibility is of utmost changing because of the nature of that course. It gave a lot
importance. Similarly, the processes of accessing of in-depth academic exposure and scope to trainees to
opportunities and accommodations available to understand themselves and other humans within their
Persons with disabilities are also equally important. respective contexts, one’s potentials, and limitations.
By “process,” I mean the path or approach one takes It encouraged me to think innovatively and develop
to achieve something. Accessibility, in its literal sense, strategies to make ends meet. This teacher’s training
refers to the availability and convenience of use. For course was specially designed for the teachers who were
example, when I was in high school, I discovered my supposed to work in Delhi’s government schools. The
talent for carrom board after finding one in the sports resources available in these schools supposedly were
room. Playing it gave me confidence and immense limited and the teachers had to struggle a lot since the
joy. However, when it came time to sign up for inter- students were mostly first-generation learners. As far
school and zonal competitions, I hesitated. The thought as I understood, the idea behind the course was to train
of walking down long corridors at different venues, individuals to be innovative, passionate teachers in a
combined with my fear of how others might perceive classroom full of challenges of various sorts. It helped
my walking, made me self-conscious. I worried about me explore my capabilities, understand the challenges,
being the last to arrive, the sympathetic looks, and and accept myself the way I am. Gradually, the course
the embarrassment that often turned into self-pity, also helped me shed all my inhibitions and made me
leading me to withdraw from these opportunities. As a confident person. In addition, it helped me develop
a result, I never signed up for any sports competitions, intrinsic motivation to set my goals and put efforts in
even though playing carrom at home with family and that direction. It allowed me to develop strategies to

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