THE BACKGROUND:

Project Mumbai, an NGO based in Mumbai, has been driving transformative change through various initiatives. For years, they have supported para-athletes by providing specialized wheelchairs, training, and practice facilities. They have done this through the unique Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball Team that they have created. The teams feature both men and women.

Mastering basketball in a wheelchair demands skill, strategy, and a deep understanding of how to navigate challenges - it's a true test of endurance.

Each of the team members has gone through a tragedy that left them without the use of their lower limbs. Wheelchair basketball has given them purpose and helped them transform into confident individuals. Geeta is one such person. For Geeta and her teammates in Mumbai, wheelchair basketball has become a way of life, fostering empowerment, self-discovery, and transformation. 

Let's dive into Geeta's story and discover the impact of this powerful initiative.

Geeta and her teammates' inspiring story begins with a setback. Accidents and illnesses left them with physical disabilities. Yet, they've found empowerment through wheelchair basketball, which has boosted their confidence and self-esteem.

However, their journey is not without challenges. Most team members come from low-income families and struggle to afford the cost of playing this sport, as it requires specialized equipment (wheelchairs). Plus, travelling to a practice game is quite challenging as the wheelchair also needs to be transported, and this leads to high costs.

Project Mumbai's wheelchair basketball initiative is bridging this gap, fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals with disabilities. Despite successes, including national championships and international representation, the team faces hurdles due to limited financial resources.

This campaign of mine aims to raise as much as possible to support these players and wheelchair basketball. 

Pic: Image shows the team captain of the Mumbai wheelchair basketball team, Geeta, receiving a cash award from Project Mumbai on behalf of her team.

Their story is a testament to resilience and determination, inspiring a new generation of athletes with disabilities.

This campaign seeks urgent support for player training, specialized wheelchairs, conducting a national wheelchair basketball league, and expanding participation opportunities.

A STORY OF IMPACT: 

THE INITIATIVE AND FUNDING NEEDS:

This Wheelchair Basketball Team, based in Mumbai and supported by Project Mumbai, is a transformative initiative that leverages sports to empower individuals with disabilities, instilling confidence, fostering resilience, and opening doors to national and international competitions for both men and women.

Scroll down for a detailed cost breakdown.

The team requires urgent support in the following four key areas:

A) Specialized wheelchairs for International tournaments - INR 42L required for 7 imported wheelchairs.

The team urgently needs seven (7 nos) RGK Elite wheelchairs, each costing INR 6L. These high-performance wheelchairs are crucial for players to compete effectively and also ensure adequate safety, as the competition is intense. These are light and quick, ensuring easy maneuverability and have adequate protection. Not having this would handicap the players. These are imported and made by the Sunrise group in the UK.

B) Wheelchair Basketball League -  INR 40L required to create and host this event

This initiative aims to launch a dedicated league featuring 4-8 teams. The league will foster sportsmanship, teamwork, and inclusivity while raising awareness about the abilities of differently-abled individuals and promoting inclusive behaviour within society. This cost includes the cost of staging the event, dedicated manpower, marketing it, etc.

PIC:  Logo of WBL (Wheelchair Basketball League).

Project Mumbai is organizing a Premier League for people with disabilities to play wheelchair basketball. The three-day event will bring together teams from Mumbai, Pune, and other cities, including Karnataka, to compete and inspire each other. Their goal is to promote equality, create job opportunities, and show that people with disabilities can achieve great things.

C) Player Development and Support: INR 20 L per year is required.

This funding will ensure that the 25 players who are part of the team receive adequate training, professional coaching, and financial support for travel, health, and competition-related expenses. This will help them refine their skills, boost their confidence, and compete nationally and internationally.

 
It just costs INR 80000 per annum for a player for their training, professional coaching, and other essential support. That is just INR 6600 per month approx.

Pic: In a first-of-its-kind event, Project Mumbai hosted a match of the Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball team at Mantralaya, the Maharashtra Government headquarters, which was attended by the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, and the entire cabinet of Ministers.

D) New player training and equipment - INR 8L required in Year 1. 

To make the sport more accessible and bring in more talent, the aim is to reach out to more individuals who could benefit from playing wheelchair basketball. They need to be trained, and these new players will also need wheelchairs. The plan is to procure 10 nos (Ten) locally made Motivation brand wheelchairs, each costing INR 50000. These wheelchairs will enable aspiring players to join the team and actively participate, reinforcing the vision of empowerment and inclusivity in sports.

Pic: Left - The Motivation Multisport wheelchair; Right - A participant from the Project Mumbai team in action, using the same wheelchair.

The Motivation Multisport Wheelchair features an adjustable seat, backrest, footrests, and quick-release wheels for enhanced performance. It promotes Inclusive Sports, enabling people with disabilities to participate in various sports like basketball, tennis, badminton, and volleyball.

The Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball Team is proof that adaptive sports can be a powerful tool for transformation, resilience, and inclusivity. 

BUDGET NEEDS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS:

Your support will enable athletes to receive professional training, compete on prestigious platforms, and gain access to the specialized equipment they need to succeed. Additionally, it will help create a competitive league that will serve as a stepping stone for many aspiring players while fostering inclusivity and changing societal perceptions about disability sports.

The Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball Team stands as a testament to the transformative power of adaptive sports. With your support, we can elevate this mission and create a more inclusive tomorrow. 

ABOUT ME: 

My name is Nikhita Ann Juby. I am a 15-year-old Grade 9 student at The Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball Team's resilience and determination have truly inspired me. These athletes refuse to let physical limitations define them—they push boundaries, defy expectations, and prove that sports can be a powerful force for change. Through this campaign, we have the opportunity to uplift and empower them by ensuring they have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Despite their incredible talent and dedication, these players face immense challenges due to a lack of specialized wheelchairs, proper training facilities, and financial support. The Mumbai Wheelchair Basketball Team, backed by Project Mumbai, is working tirelessly to promote inclusivity and transform lives through sport. But they can’t do it alone.

Your contribution can make a life-changing difference. Supporting a single player costs just INR 80,000 per year, covering weekly practices, travel, health, coaching, and equipment. To sustain the entire team, we need INR 20L annually. Additionally, INR 42L is required to import high-performance wheelchairs that will allow these athletes to compete at their best. Another INR 40L will fund an IPL-style basketball league for men and women, creating a long-term impact on the sport and its players. Lastly, INR 8L will go toward scouting and training new talent. In total, we need INR 110L (1.1CR) to turn this vision into reality.

This is more than just a donation—it’s an investment in a future where every individual, regardless of ability, gets the chance to chase their dreams. By contributing, you’re not just supporting a sports team; you’re breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and giving these athletes the opportunity to shine on the court and beyond.

Together, we can drive meaningful change. Let’s rally behind this remarkable team and help them achieve greatness!

THE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM IN ACTION:

ABOUT PROJECT MUMBAI:

Project Mumbai is an award-winning not-for-profit model of public-private partnership. It works across verticals, including Mental health and sustainability and through volunteerism, is striving to make Mumbai the Kindness capital of India. 

It has touched 1.6 crore lives in the last 6 years; that's about 8 thousand people every day. Through its initiative "Samavesh," Project Mumbai focuses on integrating people with disabilities into mainstream activities, with wheelchair basketball serving as a cornerstone of this mission. The organization provides essential support, including accessible playing infrastructure, coaching, mental health assistance, and employment opportunities for players. Through their wheelchair basketball initiative, they aim to promote social inclusion, physical rehabilitation, and personal growth among individuals with disabilities.

TAX BENEFITS:

Funding for this campaign is eligible for tax breaks as the NGO, Project Mumbai, is a registered trust and you can avail of benefits under section 80G of the IT Act. Foreign funding is NOT accepted.