Earlier this month on March 12 and 13, the city witnessed India’s first Wheelchair Basketball Premier League (WBPL) at Mastan YMCA’s basketball court in Nagpada and YMCA International House in Mumbai Central, helmed by the non-profit organisation Project Mumbai. We spoke to Javed Choudhari, whose team Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Pune, won the men’s title. Choudhari highlights his journey in taking up a sport as a person with disabilities. Read about his and other personal journeys with fitness, exercise and sports.

He just did it

Javed Choudhari, wheelchair basketball player and para athlete 
Choudhari hails from Lonar in Maharashtra, and was tired of hearing the words ‘You can’t do it’. While his family focussed on supporting and helping him lead a simple and safe life after a 2015 accident that resulted in the amputation of his leg, Choudhari wanted more. He tells us, “I’m the only one in my family who is educated. Before the accident, my family placed all their hopes in me to move ahead and achieve things for myself and my generation. But after the accident, that hope turned to sympathy and I didn’t like that. I don’t blame them; they were not aware that an amputee or a person with disability could do the things I’m doing.” As he stepped out, he faced the same words. People doubted, advised and questioned the 27-year-old’s motivation to take up sports and continue dancing — a talent he honed before and after the accident. “It was frustrating to be held back when I didn’t know what I could achieve myself.”