A fine all-round performance from Amit Kumar Singh helped Team-B record a 25-run victory against Team-A in a Wheelchair box cricket league match of the inaugural edition of the Ekta World Maharashtra Para Sports, an initiative of Happy Foundation, sponsored by Ekta World and played at the Khar Gymkhana. Amit Kumar scored 18 runs and later took 3 wickets for 4 runs to play a key role in the team’s triumph.
(From Left to Right): Vinod Gupta, Vinod Rajgor, Virendra Kumar, Kumar Pankaj Prem (standing behind), Amit Kumar Singh, Ramesh Sartape (Indian Wheel Chair Team’s Captain), Surendra Kasare all members of Team-B which defeated Team-A in the Wheelchair Box Cricket match of the Ekta World Maharashtra Para Sports.
Batting first Team-B scored 61 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their quota of 6 overs and then they restricted Team-A to just 36 runs for the loss of 4 wickets from their 6 overs.
In table tennis action, Suryakant P. recovered brilliantly after dropping the first game to defeat Rakesh Roshan 4-11, 11-6, 11-7 in a hard-fought quarter-final match. In another closely fought match, Shawan D. beat back a strong challenge from Vijay Dhape before clinching a tense 11-6, 9-11, 11-6 win to advance to the semi-final.
In other last eight round matches, Om Lotlikar easily overcame Ashok Pal 11-3, 11-3 and Karan Khan prevailed over Praveen D. 11-7, 11-6.
Almost 800 para athletes from all across Maharashtra will be participating in this three-day event, which has the support of the Government of Maharashtra and the Sports Authority of India.
Events are being conducted for Boys and Girls in the Under-12, Under-15, Under-18 and Over-18 age categories in 8 individual and 2 team sports. The para athletes are participating in the following sports disciplines – Badminton, Chess, Carrom, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Swimming and Karate (all individual events) and Box Cricket and Rink Football (team events).
Results:
Wheelchair Box cricket – Brief scores: Team-B 61 runs for 5 wickets in 6 overs (Amit Kumar Singh 18) beat Team-A 36 runs for 4 wickets in 6 overs (Amit Kumar Singh 3 for 4 runs).
Table Tennis – Quarter-finals: Om Lotlikar bt Ashok Pal 11-3, 11-3; Karan Khan bt Praveen D. 11-7, 11-6; Shawan D. bt Vijay Dhape 11-6, 9-11, 11-6; Suryakant P. Bt Rakesh Roshan 4-11, 11-6, 11-7.