Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada Badminton Association (DKBA) is planning to introduce free para badminton coaching for children with disabilities at its indoor stadium in Urwa, opening up a new avenue for young sportspersons from the coastal region to learn, train and eventually compete in the sport.
The association initially plans to train at least five children with disabilities in the below 10-15 years age category. DKBA has already begun approaching schools to identify interested children and hopes to develop future players who can progress to higher levels of competition, including the Paralympics.
The initiative is aimed at making badminton more inclusive and ensuring that children with physical disabilities have access to structured coaching and facilities.
Focus on an inclusive badminton ecosystem
Rayeez P C, in-charge of coaching at DKBA, who came up with the idea, said the association intends to take the first step towards developing a structured para badminton programme in Mangaluru.
DKBA Head Coach Aniruddha Patwardhan said badminton should be accessible to everyone, irrespective of physical limitations or disabilities.
“The next step in developing a complete badminton ecosystem at DKBA is to create an opportunity for players with physical disabilities to learn, train and compete in badminton,” he said.
The programme is expected to begin by identifying interested players, understanding their individual requirements and providing them with suitable basic training.
The coaching will then gradually be developed into a more structured para badminton programme, with the long-term objective of preparing players for competitive participation.
Building confidence and opportunities
Patwardhan said he wants DKBA to become a place where a child or adult with a disability can walk into a badminton court and feel that there is a space for them as well.
Initially, the focus will be on understanding the specific requirements of each player and adapting the training process accordingly.
As the programme develops and more children come forward, DKBA plans to work towards preparing players for participation in competitions.
The initiative could provide an important sporting platform for children with disabilities in the coastal region, where opportunities for specialised para sports coaching are limited.
By offering training free of cost, the association also aims to reduce financial barriers for families interested in encouraging their children to take up the sport.
Specialised coaching to be developed
Patwardhan said specialised knowledge would be crucial for successfully running a para badminton coaching programme.
While the basic fundamentals of badminton remain the same, the coaching approach needs to be adapted according to a player’s disability and classification.
He said the association first intends to educate and train its coaches through appropriate para badminton courses and workshops.
DKBA also plans to seek guidance from qualified para badminton professionals before developing the programme in a structured manner.
“I intend to first educate and train our coaches as well through appropriate Para Badminton courses/workshops and seek guidance from qualified Para Badminton professionals, and then develop the programme at DKBA in a structured manner,” Patwardhan said.
This approach is expected to ensure that coaching is not only inclusive but also appropriate to the individual needs of young players.
Experienced coach to guide initiative
Patwardhan has been involved in badminton coaching for around 15 years and is a former national-level badminton player.
Over the years, he has trained more than 3,000 players, with over 40 representing the state level and more than 10 competing at the national level.
His experience in developing young players is expected to support DKBA’s plans to create a systematic training pathway for children taking up para badminton.
The programme will initially focus on basic skills, physical conditioning suited to the player’s abilities, confidence-building and familiarisation with the sport.
As the players progress, the training could be expanded to include competitive preparation and participation in recognised para badminton events.
DKBA to provide kits and facilities
DKBA President Santhosh Kumar Shetty said the intention behind the initiative was to provide a platform for children with disabilities from the coastal region.
He said the association wanted to encourage and prepare interested players to pursue badminton and potentially represent the country at the Paralympic level.
“We will also provide them with a badminton kit and other facilities required,” he said.
The provision of equipment and facilities is expected to further support children who may otherwise face challenges in accessing specialised sports infrastructure.
The free coaching initiative reflects DKBA’s effort to make its existing sporting ecosystem accessible to a wider section of society.
Strong existing training base
DKBA currently has more than 150 athletes training at its facilities.
The beginner programme alone has around 100 to 110 children, indicating a strong base of young badminton players at the association.
The addition of a dedicated para badminton programme would expand the scope of the training system and create opportunities for children with disabilities to become part of the sporting environment.
DKBA has invited interested children with disabilities to join the proposed free coaching programme.
The initiative, if developed as planned, could mark an important step towards inclusive sports in coastal Karnataka. By combining free training, specialised coaching, equipment and access to infrastructure, the association hopes to create a pathway from basic training to competitive participation.
For young children with disabilities who aspire to take up a sport, the proposed programme could offer more than coaching. It could provide a platform to develop skills, confidence and a sense of belonging while pursuing their sporting ambitions.