Representing Punjab Team LPU Student won Bronze at National Wheel-Chair Basketball Championship

Jalandhar, January 27, 2018: Proving the maxim ‘If there is a will, there is a way’ to the core, one of the talented Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) affected students at Lovely Professional University, Mohammed Gulzar Shaikh has brought laurels to himself, the university and the Punjab state by winning bronze medal at national level. The occasion was 4th National Wheelchair Basketball (Men) Championship held at KVBR (Kotla Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy) Indoor Basketball Stadium, Hyderabad, Telangana. Though hailing from Mumbai, yet being a student of Diploma in Bakery & Confectionery at LPU School of Hotel Management & Tourism; Gulzar represented Punjab State Team at the championship. The Championship was organized by ‘Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India – WBFI’, where legendary cricketer Virender Sehwag was the ‘Special Guest’ for the event.

During 5-Day tournament, competitions were held amongst 14 Men's teams of Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, UP, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Odisha. The Championship was presented by WBFI in partnership with the Sports Authority of Telangana State; Australian Consulate General-Chennai; the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and, Cognizant. YWTC (YES WE TOO CAN) Charitable Trust recognized the teams those remained at the first 3 positions with cash prizes of Rs.25,000/-, Rs.15,000/- & Rs.10,000/- respectively. On these lines LPU is also very supportive, and is the only university in the country to help SCI affected persons in large number by providing them full scholarship.

Congratulating Gulzar on his glorious achievement, LPU Pro Chancellor Mrs Rashmi Mittal accorded him best wishes for his future endeavours also. Informing Mr Mittal says: “I am excited to see our student in flying colours at the National Wheelchair Championship. We want to see a great social change through participative, innovative approaches and organizations of such kinds. Disability sport is indeed such a great platform in promoting the rights and inclusion of SCI affected people.” Illustrative, aiming to encourage spinal cord injured persons lead an inclusive life, LPU has enrolled 22 Spinal Cord injury affected students all of whom are studying at the campus on 100% scholarship. All of them study at LPU as regular students and avail different opportunities at LPU as come their ways.

Possessing great love for sports, Gulzar always desires to be the part of national team for further international competitions. Gulzar was fond of playing wheelchair-basketball and getting a chance at LPU he has now established himself as a great wheelchair-basketball player. Gulzar shares: “LPU has provided me a great direction not only to continue with my sports interests but to strengthen my academic and entrepreneurship career also. I am grateful to LPU management which is very keen about inspiring so many students like me at LPU campus to lead a passionate life. Being SCI affected, many students like me are getting full support to live up to our dreams by enjoying studying and living facilities at the campus totally free.”