The hope that flourishes in Kashmir’s first woman wheelchair basketball player.

By Saraf Ali | newzhook.com

Insha Bashir met with an accident which left her wheelchair-bound, at the age of 12. But that didn’t stop her pursue her passion, she took up wheelchair basketball and competed at the national level in 2017 and even represented India at the Sports Visitor Programme 2019, that was held in the US.

There are many Indian athletes who are physically challenged but are still  setting benchmarks in various sporting events. Among them is 24-year-old Inshah Bashir who is the first woman wheelchair basketball player from Jammu & Kashmir.

Insha met an accident at the age of 12 that caused her a spinal injury and left her bound to a wheelchair. A year earlier, she had diagnosed with a stomach ulcer that led to bleeding when she coughed.

Inshah hails from an area which lacks proper medical facilities, Budgam.
“I was in class 12th when this incident happened. Following treatment for a major spinal injury proper, I became dependent on the wheelchair. Lack of proper medical facilities in Budgam even made it more difficult for my family and I was confined indoors. But my family’s constant support helped me to overcome that phase”, she said.

Insha was an avid basketball lover since her childhood days. But what motivated her to take up the sport was witnessing people with disabilities like her playing the sport.

She saw this during a visit to the Shafqat Rehabilitation Center in Srinagar and since then she has never looked back. Even though there wasn’t any women’s in the valley, Inshah used to practice with the resources available and often play with the boys’ team.

“I saw some people like me and even in worse condition than me playing basketball. They suggested that I join them. At first, I felt I may not be able to do it, but then I did, and felt this game is interesting and convenient to play on a wheelchair”, she added.

In 2017, Inshah was selected in a team called “Rest of India” at the national level.

Just like any other sportsperson, Inshah goes to the gym daily. Now her only aim is to bring a change in the Indian sporting scenario for women and bring out hidden talent.

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Saraf Ali

An independent journalist, an author and a columnist.