National Wheelchair Handball Championship begins at AMTZ

The National Wheelchair Handball Championship, organised by the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) at its IEC Campus, began on Wednesday.

The championship, seen as a significant step for inclusive sports in the country, will continue till April 19. More than 70 players and officials from six states are participating in the tournament, reflecting the growing interest in adaptive sports across India.

The event is being conducted in association with the Handball Federation of India to provide para-athletes a professional platform to compete and earn national recognition.

Education mentors Dev Lulla and Sapna Lulla, along with Amit Sharma, head of the Artificial Limb Centre, attended the inaugural ceremony. AMTZ CEO Dr Jitendra Sharma and Para Sports Academy director Captain Louise George welcomed the participating teams.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Sharma said the championship would play an important role in identifying talent for the future. He said the larger aim was to build a strong national team capable of winning medals for India at the upcoming international championship in Cairo. He assured players of full support and resources from AMTZ.

Captain Louise George said the championship was not just about competition, but also about creating career opportunities for athletes. She said the Para Sports Academy remained committed to providing training and facilities to help players represent the country.