Defeating disability with sports

Divya Sharma

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 11

Their shortcoming to retain things takes a back seat as soon as they enter a playground. Suffering from intellectual disability, Jasvir Singh and Udayvir Singh (brothers) have found a solace in sports.

Elder brother Udayvir (26) is enthused by cycling and Jasvir (17) finds playing basketball thrilling. Udayvir has been practising cycling on city roads and the BRTS stretches early in the morning.

All set to attend a national camp, they are among the probables for the March 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games at Abu Dhabi.

“Both of them are good in their respective games. They enjoy sports. I hope there are many vocational streams assuring them of employment. I am proud of them,” says Harvinder Singh Virk, their father. Virk had to move to various places for their education and future. Both of them had to be shifted to special schools once their problem was identified.

“One of the relatives pointed it out when Udayvir was young. We admitted him to Pehal Resource Centre at Government Senior Secondary School, Karampura. Later, Jasvir too went to the centre when he faced the same issue” adds Virk, a merchant navy professional.

As of now, Udayvir works in an automobile shop while Jasvir is in Class VII at Pehal Resource Centre.

“I like scoring goals,” says a shy Jasvir while Udayvir grins as he talks about his desire to win an international gold medal for the country.

Dharminder Singh Gill, district coordinator, Pehal Resource Centre, says, “These boys are very talented. The need of the hour is to create job opportunities for such students. We need infrastructure and a healthy environment for them.”