The Power of Sport – IWTT and Saksham

Being a tennis player and cup winner, Saksham in Grade 11, decided to volunteer as an intern at the Indian Wheelchair Tennis Tour (IWTT) during the summer break. Feeling that not enough recognition and resources are given to the wheelchair tennis players, Saksham has previously written a book, where the profits were donated to the IWTT. After meeting with the founder of the organisation, Mr Sunil Jain, Saksham got inspired and motivated to contribute in any way he could. We contacted Saksham to learn more about the organisation and what he has been doing to further their cause.

I am sure the organisation will keep on growing and one day we will see Indian Paralympic athletes winning overseas – Saksham, Grade 11

As a volunteer at the IWTT, Saksham has been helping with the running of things happening in Bangalore. He has also been managing their YouTube channel and social media channels. On their YouTube channel he started a series where he interviewed players, so that the audience got a chance to get to know them a better. By asking the players some questions, such as the problems the faced growing up, along with some fun questions to keep the audience engaged. “I am definitely looking to help out as much as I can for IWTT, and as the pandemic restrictions ease I will be sure to help in the new tournaments, as we are planning to conduct more and more”, says Saksham, who until then will do continue to do several interviews with the top players. 

Saksham is inspired by the wheelchair players in the organisation, as he wakes up on certain days and not wanting to train. But then he remembers how the wheelchair players are putting in the hard work, and he is inspired to to seize the day. “They have the hunger for representing the country, but fall short on resources to reach their full potential”, says Saksham, who believes that if the government provides resources, the Indian wheelchair tennis players may win international tournaments, and maybe even the Paralympics.

As players are from different parts of the country, language has been a barrier for Saksham in his promotion work. “I have still managed doing an interview entirely in Hindi, which I enjoyed as it is my mother tongue, but for other regional languages it is a bit challenging”, says Saksham, who is looking for people who know local languages and that could potentially help him doing more interviews. Being a tennis player himself, and being one of the top players in his category, Saksham loves giving back to the community. “I feel that anyone can make a difference with even the slightest of help, and I make sure to offer my help in a sport that interests me and that I am already so involved in”, says Saksham, who would like to find people interested in the initiative, and knows any regional languages.

For more information about the organisation and its initiatives, visit the IWTT website. To see the interviews that Saksham has made, visit the IWTT YouTube channel.