Cambodia: Women’s wheelchair basketball team display skill and hard work in Thailand
“We are 100 per cent sure we will win this competition,” said Tao Chanda, a player in the Cambodian women’s wheelchair basketball team, just ahead of a 5x5 match against the Laotian team at the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Asia Oceania Zone Championship held in January 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand. Her confidence and energy served her well and the Cambodian team won with a score of 51–27.
The Cambodian women's wheelchair basketball team comprises members from Battambang and Kampong Speu provinces, some of whom are survivors of landmine incidents that claimed their limbs and altered their lives long after conflict had ended.
The team was formed in July 2012 by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of its social inclusion projects which aim to empower people with disabilities, helping them to achieve better quality of life and integrate into their communities with dignity. Sports for people with disabilities effectively shifts the focus to their abilities, boosting their self-esteem and transforming the community's perception. Talking about the team's remarkable performance, Pherum Van, the ICRC's social inclusion officer who accompanied them from Cambodia, said each player had dedicated extensive time practising for this competition. Before defeating the Laos team, the Cambodian players won four other matches, including one against Australia.
"What we witnessed was the impact of our support over the years. Women's wheelchair basketball in Cambodia, initiated by the ICRC a decade ago, has now become a sport inspiring national pride. It is wonderful to see this project continue to receive the support it needs," said Prem Saggurthi, ICRC's physical rehabilitation specialist, highlighting that the team members have grown in skill and confidence.
Though the Cambodian women's team did not advance to the final round for paralympic this year, team members shared that their objectives were already fulfilled. "We came to prove that disabled people can do everything like others and are not a burden in society," said Sieng Sokchan, captain of the team in Battambang Province.
I used to struggle to afford sufficient food or support my family before I started playing wheelchair basketball. Sports gave me the opportunity to earn a living and pursue my favourite activity at the same time.
We are so excited and proud to be part of this game, highlighting the strength of our team. We are grateful to the organizers of this event, the Cambodian government and others who generously supported us. We especially thank the ICRC, the 'parent' of wheelchair basketball in Cambodia.
I want to tell people with disabilities that they are capable of pursuing activities and not stay confined at home. They need to motivate themselves to show others how capable they truly are.
