Mohammad Mohasin: A Champion on Wheels Defying All Odds
Few stories in the world of sports are as inspiring as that of Mohammad Mohasin, captain of Bangladesh’s wheelchair cricket team. Born in a small village in Bangladesh, Mohasin contracted polio as a baby, leaving him wheelchair-bound for life. But instead of letting his disability define his future, Mohasin has become a beacon of hope for hundreds of disabled athletes across the country.
As a child, Mohasin dreamt of playing cricket with his friends but was left to watch from the sidelines. It wasn’t until he received a wheelchair at the age of ten that he could envision participating in sports himself. Yet, the journey to fulfilling his dream was far from easy. Bangladesh had no organised platform for disabled athletes at the time, and cricket, a game so physically demanding, seemed unattainable for him.
In 2010, after a chance encounter with a representative from India’s disability sports scene, Mohasin founded the Wheelchair Cricket Welfare Association Bangladesh (WCWAB). With no prior experience or resources, he began to build a community of disabled athletes who shared his passion for cricket. From an initial group of 36 players, the team has now grown to over 200, including a women’s squad, and the Bangladesh wheelchair cricket team has competed in multiple international tournaments, including becoming runners-up in the Asia Cup.
But for Mohasin, the greatest achievement isn’t in the trophies. “The people who are part of the wheelchair cricket team were, at some point, housebound,” he said. Through wheelchair cricket, these individuals found a sense of pride and belonging, representing Bangladesh on the international stage. It has allowed them to rediscover their self-worth and make a mark on the world.
Today, Mohasin continues to fight for his team’s future, which faces significant financial challenges. Despite the Bangladesh Cricket Board being one of the richest in the world, support for the disabled cricket team is still lacking. In a recent Zoom conference with UK CurryConnect and *Futuredesh, attended by notable figures such as Moslek Uddin, Shah F. Athar of UK CurryConnect, Foisol Uddin, Sajjadur Aziz Malik of Futuredesh, Deputy Lieutenant Muzahid Khan, and *Raja Ali from the IBD Partnership Group, discussions centred on raising funds to support the national disabled cricket team. Mohasin highlighted the daily struggles they face to keep the team running, despite their achievements and the pride they bring to the nation.
Mohammad Mohasin’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the unyielding belief that disability is not a barrier to greatness. Through his efforts, he has transformed not only his own life but the lives of countless others, proving that even in the face of adversity, it’s possible to rise and shine. His legacy continues to inspire as he fights for a more inclusive and supportive environment for disabled athletes in Bangladesh.
