Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Parasports
  • #IStandIndependent – Disability led Madhusudan to discover a talent for wheelchair tennis

#IStandIndependent – Disability led Madhusudan to discover a talent for wheelchair tennis

Parasports August 15, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

In our August campaign #IStandIndependent on emerging para sportspersons, we feature Madhusudan H from Bengaluru. Madhu, who is a wheelchair tennis player, has won many accolades in national and international championships.

Until he was 13 years old, Madhusudan H took no interest in sports. Oddly enough it was an accident where his knee was amputated in 2001 that led to his developing a passion for wheelchair tennis. He met some players and decided to learn he game.

Today, at 24, Madhu has already taken part in five international tournaments across four countries, even winning a silver medal in the 2014 Bangkok Open Wheelchair Tennis tournament. He has also represented Karnataka in more than six national tournaments.

As a kid, I was never really interested in sports. I had attended a graphics designing class right after my class 10 and that is where I met some wheelchair tennis players who introduced me to the game. I got really inspired after watching them play, and they gave me detailed insights into the sport. I even became a regular in watching wheelchair tennis tournaments

Madhu who also works in a private company in Bengaluru ensures he keeps up with regular tennis practice. He says sports makes him feel great and enhances his self-esteem and confidence.

Early struggles

Like many sportspersons, Madhu too faced difficulties in the early years. He would practice on weekends but commuting all the way from home to the sessions was hard.

“I had to travel at least 18 kms to Cubbon Park where my practice sessions used to happen. That means, I had to shell out at least ₹ 400 on every auto trip just one way. It was too much expense for me. Though it was only on weekends, it was an extra burden to spend money with the kind of income that I was earning. Soon, I started asking people on my same route to pick me up. Some kind-hearted people agreed, and I could save on money”, says Madhu.

Now that he bought his own bike, Madhu is able to move around freely and attends practice sessions easily. Then came the expense of playing the game. Tennis is an expensive sport and he struggled to put together the expenses. He believes that struggles like these discourage many talented sportspersons.

“There are many wheelchair tennis courts in Bengaluru, but none of them agree to take in wheelchair tennis players. They say that wheelchair tyres leave a mark on their ground. Nothing is accessible for disabled people. Since government is not even stepping up to help us, we are forced to take care of expenses for travel and purchase of sports equipment’s”, adds Madhu.

Currently, he is being supported by the NGO Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation due to which he is able to go ahead with his games smoothly. “There is a dearth of wheelchair tennis coaches too. Regular coaches do not know the basics of wheelchair tennis and it is technically different”, he says.

For five years, Madhu has been rigorously practicing wheelchair tennis without missing any weekend sessions. He says his determination to pursue the game amidst all odds and love for it is what pushes him ahead in life. According to Madhu, the emotional support from his mother to pursue his game is the biggest support.

Madhu’s determination, says strong>Shivprasad S, Vice-captain of Indian Wheelchair Cricket Team, is his biggest strength. “I know Madhu for the last three years and he has a bright future as he is constantly keen to learn new things and improve his game”.

As for Madhu, his focus is on 2020. “My biggest dream in life is to represent India in the 2020 Paralympics. For that, I want to stay positive, work hard and make it happen”.

Watch in Sign Language

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Technology

Learning becomes richer, deeper for children with vision impairments with Tactopus

Parasports

#ThankYouTeacher - Coach Gaurav Khanna has scripted India’s biggest success stories in Deaf & Para Badminton

Accessibility

Put your accessibility skills to use, join BarrierBreak’s Covid Accessibility Bug Bounty campaign!

Employment

SAI Bakery offers adults with developmental disabilities space to bond & learn

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.