Visakhapatnam (Vizag): As they say it is courage, not wings, that fuels one to take off, wheelchairs cannot bind people with disabilities if left with their devices. Proving this Paralympic athletes demonstrated their resilience and perseverance in the sprawling campus of AMTZ (Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone), the biggest medical device manufacturing cluster in the world.
Incidentally, the story of AMTZ coming up is not very different from the wheelchair bound paralympic athletes excelling in sports there. It was courage of Dr Jitendra Sharma, CEO of AMTZ, which fuelled it to take off on a runway, literally.
For the first time, the Paralympic games have been held in Vizag from 8th to 15th January 2025. Hosted by AMTZ, it created history in the city of Visakhapatnam. Incidentally again, AMTZ also once created history by being the first medical device park in India. The premier Paralympic game, Boccia National Championship has brought together players from 21 states across the country and has brought hope to hundreds of specially-abled players in India.
“I used to be bedridden until the age of 19, with no interest in anything in my life. Then, on February 26, 2022—a date I will never forget—a person took me to Delhi and introduced me to Boccia. In just two days of practice, I participated
in the National Boccia Championship. I was so excited that I practiced day and night and eventually won a bronze medal,” shares Ravinder Kumar, a 21-year- old with cerebral palsy from Bikaner, Rajasthan.
As he recounts his journey, his face lights up with pride and excitement. “Since then, my life has completely changed. Through Boccia, I found not only a passion but also a reason to enjoy life,” he adds.Ravinder won a gold medal.
BOCCIA is a Paralympic precision ball sport tailored for individuals with severe physical disabilities. It is a game of strategy, focus, and precision. Players aim to throw leather balls as close as possible to a target a white ball, known as the “jack.”
The sport not only tests tactical and physical skills but also transforms lives, as evident from the stories of the athletes competing here.
Take, for instance, Tariq Ahmed, a 46-year-old first-time participant from Gulmarg, Kashmir, living with muscular dystrophy. “I learned about Boccia just ten days ago, and I came to Vizag to play. When I tried it, I realized how life-changing this game is. We have limited opportunities for physical activity, but Boccia is perfect for us. It combines physical and mental exercises, strategy, and the excitement of any sport,” says Tariq, first ever player of Boccia from Kashmir, now inspired to take this game further in his state.
The AMTZ has been a longstanding supporter of the Boccia Federation, empowering para-athletes to compete nationally and internationally. Dr. Jitendra Sharma, MD and Founder CEO of AMTZ, highlighted the transformative power of organising this championship and said, ‘Boccia serves as a valuable game for individuals with severe disabilities, promoting physical health and enhancing quality of life. AMTZ is always committed to not just saving lives but also empowering the abilities of persons with disabilities.”
This commitment to inclusion extends beyond Boccia. AMTZ is also supporting other parasports, including wheelchair basketball, with a major championship scheduled to take place next month in the MedTech Zone.
For players like Annapoorna K from Karnataka, Boccia is a game-changer. Living with 90% muscular dystrophy, Annapoorna has been competing since 2017. After winning silver medals for two consecutive years, she finally secured
gold in this championship. However, her journey has been far from easy.
”We need specialized balls costing around Rs 4 lakhs, a turf playground, and in some cases, ball ramps. Without proper resources, it’s hard to practice and compete,” she explains.
She underscores the need for support and infrastructure to nurture these talents. ”Organisations like AMTZ and Boccia Federations” enable us to play these games, which give us a positive psychosocial impact. They inspire us to live fully
and prove our abilities.”
