Hope on the Court: Boccia Empowers the Disabled and Lifts Assam’s Golden Boy

A discovery in South Korea

In 2013, while representing India at the Asian Taekwondo Championship in South Korea, national-level taekwondo player Jaspreet Singh Dhaliwal stumbled upon a sport that would quietly change the future of disability sports in India. What he saw there was boccia—a precision ball sport designed specifically for people with severe physical disabilities.

For Dhaliwal, a sportsman at heart, the moment was transformative. He immediately understood the silent disappointment many persons with disabilities carry—the pain of wanting to play, compete, and belong, but being held back simply because their bodies work differently. Boccia, he felt, was more than a sport; it was hope in motion.

From vision to reality

Determined to bring boccia to India, Dhaliwal reached out to the international governing body of the sport. His efforts bore fruit in 2016, when India officially got its national boccia body, recognised by the international federation. Today, Dhaliwal serves as the President and Coach of the Indian Boccia Team, steering the sport’s growth with unwavering passion.

What Is Boccia?

Boccia is a Paralympic sport that has been part of the Games since 1984, and continues to feature every four years—the next edition scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028. Originally designed for athletes with cerebral palsy, the sport has since expanded to include players with other disabilities.

The game involves players rolling or throwing red and blue balls as close as possible to a white target ball called the jack. Strategy is key—players can knock opponents’ balls away or reposition their own, making boccia a sport of both precision and tactical brilliance.

Four categories, one game

Boccia is divided into four categories. The first two are reserved for players with cerebral palsy, while the other two include athletes with conditions such as spinal cord injuries, locomotor disabilities, and similar impairments. This unique classification system means a country’s performance can vary widely across categories—excelling in one does not guarantee dominance in another.

India’s remarkable rise

When India first entered international boccia competitions, it was ranked 73rd globally. Today, the country stands at an impressive 20th rank in the BC3 category—a remarkable leap in less than a decade. To qualify for the Paralympics, a team must be among the top 12, and Dhaliwal is confident that India is on track to make its Paralympic debut in LA 2028.

Assam’s Golden Boy

Among the bright spots is Sachin Chamaria, a BC3 player from Assam, who has consistently delivered stellar performances at the national level, winning gold medals in recent years and bringing pride to the state.

Medals, but at a cost

Indian boccia players have already made their mark, winning medals at several national and international events. Yet, success has come despite daunting challenges. According to Dhaliwal, government support remains limited. “In India, support usually comes after medals,” he says with a wry smile. Infrastructure and financial backing, he adds, are often missing at the grassroots stage—when athletes need it the most.

Battling barriers beyond the court

Transport remains one of the biggest hurdles. Most boccia players are wheelchair users, and travelling across states for competitions is a struggle, as Indian trains are largely not wheelchair-friendly. Infrastructure poses another challenge. While states like Karnataka, Delhi and Chandigarh boast international-standard boccia academies, many regions still train athletes on makeshift courts—sometimes even basketball courts.

Boccia in the Northeast: A Work in Progress

Assam and Arunachal Pradesh already have boccia associations, and efforts are underway to expand the sport to Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland. However, participation from the Northeast remains low. Dhaliwal believes increased awareness and exposure can change that.

Spreading the Word

Despite its global presence, boccia remains largely unknown in India. To change this, Dhaliwal and his team organise national-level tournaments in different states every year, hoping visibility will inspire more players to take up the sport.

Beyond Medals

For Dhaliwal, boccia is not just about rankings or podium finishes. It is about dignity, inclusion, and giving people with disabilities a chance to compete on equal terms. As India inches closer to the Paralympic stage, boccia stands as a powerful reminder that sport—when made accessible—can transform lives.

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