Do you know, or have you even heard about "wheelchair basketball"?

Wheelchair basketball is a sport thought for people in wheelchairs. It is based on basketball with some adaptations to reflect the presence of the wheelchair, and to harmonize the different levels of disabilities players have. All teams which compete above a recreational level use a classification system to evaluate the functional abilities of players on a point scale of 1 to 4.5. In places where teams are integrated, able-bodied athletes would be classified as a 5, and an individual with the highest degree of disability (such as full paraplegia below the chest) would have the classification of 1.0. Classification is an international regulation for playing wheelchair basketball, where competitions restrict the number of points allowable on the court at one time.
Anyway, I am writing about wheelchair basketball is because I was watching actual wheelchair basketball tournament matches this whole morning and afternoon. The tournament is organized by MWBF - Malaysian Wheelchair Basketball Federation and there are 6 teams participating. They represent different states which are Pahang, KL, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Harimau Muda (this team consists of all young teenagers from the those few states' players).

MMU Basketball Club were asked to join the tournament as table officials (score keepers etc) and so few of us have the chance to actually watch real wheelchair basketball competitions It is held at Malacca so its pretty convenient. I think there are people who doesnt even know wheelchair basketball exist, let alone to watch one, and at first I wasnt very enthusiasted to go, little did I know that I will surely regret it if I didnt go.

They are all handicapped. Some lost their leg, some cant even feel anything below their waist, and yet they did not give up on life, they didnt give up on sports! The only different of wheelchair basketball from normal basketball is that they move around not by legs but through special sport-purpose-modified wheelchairs. Other basketball rules are just the same.

And you think that watching people rolling a wheelchair play basketball is boring? Think again. It is as much interesting as watching normal people play, maybe more. They depends on their waist and hands alot, to move the wheelchairs around, to pass or to shoot the ball. They might fall down due to wheelchair-crashing accidents, yet they do their best to get back on their "wheels" and continue the game. Getting a normal 2 points is hard enough for them, let alone 3 points! Believe me, I know how hard it is because I tried on it. I nearly cramp my hip just by trying to turbo with the wheelchair. They knows nothing about giving up, all they care is to play the game. One very important thing in wheelchair basketball is teamwork. Without teamwork, trying to get through half court is hard enough, let alone to find the chance to shoot and score. Body size is indeed a factor to triumph, but its not all, because I have seen a small size fella turbo up and down the court defending or getting fast break points.

A lot of them playing in the tournaments are national players, but there are only 2 that are very good, something like NBA players in wheelchair. One is similar to Shaq' O'Neal, big size but fast and agile; the other one, the top scorer and best player of the tournament, watching him play is like watching Kobe Bryant! I am not kidding. He can pass, he can defend, he can rebound, he can score, he's faster than anyone in the court despite not being too small or too big size! Really amazing!

The final results:
Champion - Selangor (I am proud of you, Selangor players XD)
2nd - Harimau Muda
3rd - Negeri Sembilan
4th - Pahang
5th - KL
6th - Melaka

Well done to every players and also us, the table officials committees (Philip, Kuang, Tat, Ravi, Mong, Jenifer and me)!

I just got back and I am really tired but I am writing and posting this now in case I lose my writing inspiration later. Let me sleep for awhile and I think I will post the photos up later after filter. Be sure to check back!

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On second thought, I better finish everything up before I lose the mood, so there you go, photos!

1st match of the day, KL vs Selangor. Selangor won!

KL players!

Pahang player. Quite tall even in his wheelchair ya know!

Go go go!

The young tigers (Harimau Muda) players.

Thats Philip and me on the wheelchairs. We got the permission to try on it and since we arent really pantang about it, why miss out the chance?

See the design of the wheelchair?

What about a little back-view of the referee?

KL vs Melaka for the 5th-6th position.

Pahang vs Negeri Sembilan for the 3rd-4th position. No.4 is the Shaq I was talking bout. See the difference in body size? Yet he is as agile and flexible as you and me with legs!

The MVP. Sad to say, I dont know his name. He's one of the national player, and the best player in this competition. He's from Selangor!

Selangor vs Harimau Muda for the 1st-2nd position. Selangor triumphed!

The Shaq, no.4 from Negeri Sembilan, receiving his medal.

The remaining players and others.

MVP with us committees! He's actually a quite funny guy inside and outside the court!