Visakhapatnam: Markinga significant step in the continued focus on para-sports in India, the first National Wheelchair Handball Championship, hosted by Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) wrapped up successfully in Visakhapatnam.
Organised in partnership with the Handball Federation of India, the championship witnessed participation from over 70 players from Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, fostering a national stage that celebrated talent, resilience and the rising prominence of adaptive sports in the country.
The event was held in the presence of Jitendra Sharma, MD and Founder CEO, AMTZ, Mukesh Kumar, chairman and MD of RMM Pharma, Ravi Sharma, Director, Pilani Public School, Capt. Louise George, Director - Para Sports Academy, AMTZ, among others.
Over the four-day championship, more than 20 matches were played. Among them, Karnataka emerged as the champion of the inaugural edition, setting a strong benchmark for future tournaments, while Telangana secured the first runner-up position and Maharashtra finished as second runner-up.
The dignitaries felicitated the players and teams for their outstanding performances in the tournament that also featured the presentation of individual honours, where Minakshi Harichandra Jadhav was awarded Best Defensive Player, Ramavath Koteshwar was conferred the title of Best Player of the Championship, and Siddappa Patangudi was named Best Offensive Player.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Jitendra Sharma emphasised that such initiatives create vital opportunities for athletes to develop, compete and prepare for global representation. Encouraging the players, he said, "This is the beginning of a bigger journey.
With international opportunities like Cairo approaching, the coming years will be crucial in shaping talent and strengthening the ecosystem. With the right support and determination, this generation of athletes can play a defining role as India prepares to lead on the global sporting stage."
Capt. Louise George highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, stating, "Beyond the matches, this event was about growth, learning, and identifying future national athletes. Each game helped us understand the depth of talent across states."
Addressing the crowd, International coordinator and classifier for wheelchair handball, Saikrishna Hatangadi highlighted the world-class facilities provided for the participants, noting that the experience reflected global standards.
He stated that AMTZ is playing a transformative role in advancing para-sports in India.