IV Integrated Wheelchair Basketball Match

At the beggining of the event, everyone who wanted to try beating the wheelchair obstacle course, had a chance to feel like a disabled person for one moment. The course was a combination of what disabled people have to go through everyday, like riding up the sidewalk, a ramp and other inconveniences. Naturally, many people were eager to try, though women turned out to be a little more brave. But the event everyone was waiting for, was obviously the integrated match. This year disabled students from Olsztyn's Academy (AKS OSW Olsztyn) and basketball players from the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn were competing. The difference was, AKS OSW competitors use the wheelchair on a daily basis, while many of the UWM players had the first chance to play the game with different rules. The game was very interesting and even. Both teams did a fantastic job despite many difficulties tied with playing a completely different version of basketball. In the first quarter, the men from AKS OSW did better, winning this part of the match 12:6. During the second quarter the UWM Students started feeling more confident in their game, and started gathering more points, though the players from OSW won that part too (24:20). The third quarter brought about the long-awaited draw, though in the last seconds OKS players took the lead 32:30. The fourth quarter was an unexpected turn of events, and UWM students managed to tie in 42:42. One can only imagine how emotional and thrilling the tie-breaking overtime was. Ultimately, the match was won by team AKS OSW Olsztyn, beating UWM 56:50. After the match the award ceremony took place. However, noone treated the match as rivarly, but rather as an ocassion to meet and have a great time playing the ball. The best proof of that were the smiles players' faces and joy filling the room. The players deserve a great round of applause for their passion, perseverance and prooving, that nothing is impossible with passion, and sport is a great way to have tons of fun.