Cambodia: Battambang’s wheelchair basketball court gets a roof
Battambang, Cambodia – On 29 August, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Cambodia Wheelchair Basketball Federation (CWBF) celebrated the construction of a roof over the basketball court at the physical rehabilitation centre in Battambang province. While the new roof will benefit both wheelchair and able-bodied athletes, its construction is all the more significant in a place where people with disabilities are encouraged to participate in sports.
In the past, it was challenging for Battambang’s wheelchair basketball team to train or play in the heat or rain. The new roof is a game changer. It will allow the team to train more regularly all year round, regardless of the weather conditions.
Attendees at the half-day event included Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Kanthireth, president of the CWBF; Atsushi Ueno, the Japanese ambassador to Cambodia; Sok Lou, the governor of Battambang province; Men Neary Sopheak, the first deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Red Cross Society; representatives from the ICRC and the Japanese embassy; and experts from the Battambang physical rehabilitation centre.
The new roof was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the Japanese government’s Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Projects (GCGP), a programme that supports initiatives in culture, sports and education in developing countries.
At the inauguration, Mr. Ueno expressed his delight at the positive impact of GCGP projects on the lives of Cambodians. “Now that the new basketball court has been completed, I hope that Cambodia’s wheelchair basketball team will be able to practice in better conditions and that their achievements will encourage more Cambodian people to get involved in playing sports,” he said.
The inauguration included a photo exhibition that showcased the remarkable achievements of the wheelchair basketball team since it was formed in 2012. Many team members are landmine survivors and all share a common passion: to show the world that people with disabilities can play sports, be active members of society and achieve goals, just like everybody else.
The ceremony concluded with a heartwarming performance by traditional dancers, many of whom are disabled members of the local community, followed by a friendly wheelchair basketball match.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Kanthireth expressed her excitement over the new court, emphasizing its importance in empowering athletes with disabilities:
Today, as we inaugurate this roofed court, we take another step forward in our mission to provide better facilities for our athletes. This court will not only serve as a place for training and competition, but as a symbol of our shared commitment to empowering people with disabilities through sports.
The ICRC remains dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, celebrating their achievements and working towards a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their physical limitations, can thrive.
Guests at the inauguration of the new roof, including Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Kanthireth, Marc Zlot (the ICRC’s physical rehabilitation programme manager in Cambodia), Sok Lou, Atsushi Ueno and Men Neary Sopheak.
Her Royal Highness Princess Sisowath Kanthireth at the ceremony. The inauguration of the new roof is a momentous occasion for the Cambodian wheelchair basketball community and represents another step forward in building a more inclusive society.
Men Neary Sopheak participates in the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the inauguration of the new roof.
Atsushi Ueno kicks off the friendly match by throwing the ball into the air in the centre of the court.
The ceremony was followed by a friendly wheelchair basketball match. Both male and female athletes participated in the match.
The new roof of the basketball court at the Battambang regional physical rehabilitation centre.
