Walking into Gate 6 of Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium reveals a powerful scene of determination and adaptation. A wheelchair user pulls his clutch, rolls forward, and serves a shuttlecock with both hands. Another athlete, with a shorter left arm, drops the shuttle and serves deftly with his right. A third player, just under four feet tall, serves with the precision of any top-tier competitor. These are the district and international-level para-badminton players training at a groundbreaking new facility.
A Dedicated Space for Champions
These athletes are the pioneering trainees at Tamil Nadu's first government-funded, dedicated para-badminton academy, inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on November 18. For years, para players were often relegated to waiting behind able-bodied athletes for court time, deemed too slow and denied equal opportunities. This academy changes that narrative.
"Para players often waited behind able-bodied players to get time on court. They are deemed slow and are denied opportunities," explained J Meganatha Reddy, Member-Secretary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). "With Tamil Nadu's para-badminton players being the best in the country in terms of medals and records at national and international levels, we wanted to give them a space of their own."
Infrastructure and Inclusive Training
The academy was created by revamping an existing badminton facility. Key modifications included relaying the turf, adding a wheelchair-accessible ramp, and installing separate bathrooms for male and female differently-abled players. The entire project was completed at a cost of under 50 lakh rupees.
The training philosophy here is tailored specifically to para-athletes. Coach S Mohamed, a former national-level player who took International Paralympic Committee courses, notes the focus on holistic care. "The training schedule for para-players often focuses more on rest and recovery, as sometimes the disability could be due to an accident, and you don't want to worsen their pain," he said. The academy currently trains 12 male and female players, ranging from district to international levels, who receive free food and accommodation at SDAT hostels.
Player Dreams and Broader Goals
The academy is already transforming lives. K Sathiyamoorthy, a 27-year-old player of short stature, shared his struggle. "I wasn't able to work anywhere because of my short stature. When I discovered I could train for free and become a player despite my age, I signed up and now I feel better," he said.
Another trainee, thirty-year-old Kiruthi Vel Mugam, balances training with his job. "I am an international-level player with a silver medal each from the Uganda and Nigeria para-badminton tournaments this year, and a gold medal at the Tamil Nadu CM's Trophy last year," he stated. His ultimate ambition is clear: "My ultimate aim is to represent India at the Paralympics in Los Angeles in 2028."
This academy is part of a larger push by SDAT to enhance institutional recognition and infrastructure for athletes with disabilities across Chennai. "There's a para sports arena in Nehru Park, with a multi-purpose court and chess and carrom play areas," added Meganatha Reddy, signaling a committed move towards greater inclusivity in sports.
