There are two things that Asha Mary is passionate about: journalism and wheelchair fencing. While her dream career has not yet worked out the way she wants it to, she is enjoying the sport she was introduced to last year.
“It’s challenging,” says the city resident who works as a proof reader, sitting astride her modified motorcycle. “And it gives me fighting spirit.”
At a practice session at the YMCA in Nandanam, Asha’s foil glinted in the sun, clashing against her instructor’s, as they fenced.
Wheelchair fencing, fencing for athletes with disabilities, has been described on the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation’s website as “one of the most elegant sports” combining strength, agility and tactics. It is also part of the Paralympics and the Asian Para Games.
Asha is one of the newer players of the Wheelchair Fencing Federation of India, which was set up in 2005.
“We have 13 member States now, and try and hold national meets every year,” federation secretary T. Venkatesan says. There are about 40 wheelchair fencers in Tamil Nadu, he says, with around 10 of them in Chennai.
“We have a lot of talent, but we need more support from the government,” he adds.
The players in the country have a range of disabilities, including those caused by polio, paralysis and amputations, says Mr. Venkatesan.
While the federation has participated in 13 international events so far, for more players to compete internationally and perhaps make it to the Paralympics some day, they need help with equipment and training, says S. Nooruddin, an auto driver and a player from Chennai, who has won a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Para Games.
“The equipment costs around Rs. 1.5 lakh. We cannot use regular wheelchairs — the ones we need cost around Rs. 40,000. We also need help with training — right now, we are scattered and trainers teach wherever they can, but we need a lot more practice,” he says.
In Chennai, the players practise at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Mr. Venkatesan says.
Next month, the federation’s ninth national games are to be held in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, and the Tamil Nadu players are looking for sponsors to be able to travel and compete, says Joseph Suresh, who runs a fish business in Kanyakumari and has won a bronze medal in the sport.
“The government helps with international competitions if a player is ranked. But there is little support locally. We can compete abroad much more if we have better support here,” he says.
