Paralympic Committee of Thailand chief Chutinant “Nick” Bhirombhakdi has unique ways to show his love and support for athletes with disabilities.

Nick, who has served over the past 10 years in the committee, has created a documentary film series about disabled athletes on Thailand’s True 24 television. So far, the series has reached 93 episodes as it has been aired on a weekly basis in the country.

The series has done well to present the life of athletes with disabilities — the struggle they face to win medals for the country.

Nick even calls those athletes the “heroes”.

Apart from making the documentaries, Nick, who represents Thailand in the Jr. NBA council, inspired other members of the council to set up friendly games between Jr. NBA program selected participants and disabled Thai athletes.

The Jr. NBA is a global basketball training program for boys and girls. It teaches basic skills and core values of the game at the basic level to foster and enhance the younger generation’s basketball experience for players, coaches and parents.

To feel firsthand experience in wheelchair basketball, Nick even took time to play the sport in a wheelchair in a friendly setting.

NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo joined the friendly game, also in a wheelchair, at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok on April 27.

Nick arranged another friendly game featuring former Los Angeles Lakers player Vladimir Radmanovic on June 9.

Besides rooting for disabled athletes, Nick is also a supporter of female players as Thailand hosted the 2019 Women’s Under-25 Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Suphanburi from May 23 to 28.

“People with disabilities often face societal barriers. Disability evokes negative perceptions and discrimination in society, especially with women, who also have less opportunity than men.

“I am focused on closing the pay gap, ensuring that women players are valued equally,” said Nick recently.

Nick was there when Thai women’s wheelchair basketball squad members, 12 girls aged 19 years old on average, took a two-month training regime for the world championship.

“The opportunity of playing wheelchair basketball with them is an expression of respect. Moreover, this will help encourage, inspire and motivate them playing the sport with happiness,” said Nick.

— The writer is the founder of Maria Monique Lastwish Foundation.

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