Wheelchair basketball Paralympics is one of the most popular games in paralympics games.  Basketball is still among the most popular games globally, but very few people know that there exist physically impaired athletes who also play it. 

Right now, wheelchair basketball is being played in more than one hundred countries, including France, USA and Great Britain which have promised to participate during the Paris Paralympics of 2024. Initially aimed at rehab for injured soldiers and for meeting stress releasing needs, this game was named after wheelchairs used by physically challenged sportsmen to move around the court.

The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation states that this sport was first played in 1945 between two hospitals in the USA. As stated by the International Paralympic Committee: “Booming in 1946 in the USA, Wheelchair basketball had occurred through servicemen disabled as a result of WWII injuries. 

Several of them used to be able bodied players hence after they recovered from their hurts; they wanted to play again. Therefore, all those changes made it possible for this game to be played all over America and eventually went round the globe.”

The inaugural Paralympics were held in Rome where wheelchair basketball got introduced during 1960. There were eight sporting events at the Rome Paralympics including wheelchair basketball. USA emerged victorious winning two gold medals during the first event ever held here about wheelchair basketball.

wheelchair basketball paralympics schedule

The date when the men will play their last match is September 7 while that for women is September 8. The wheelchair basketball event at the Paralympics took off on August 29. This greatly awaited activity will run from the 29th of August to the 8th of September at Bercy Arena located in central Paris. Sixteen teams comprising both male and female national teams are going to compete for these esteemed medals during these games. Men’s and women’s tournaments started on 29th August, just a day after the Opening Ceremony.

In Group A, Great Britain’s men played their first match against Germany. That night, the women’s competition kicked off with Great Britain squaring off against Spain in Group A. Both the men and women from Great Britain won their first matches.

September 2 will be the last day for group stage games and from September 3 onwards, knockouts will take place. Teams will initially compete in a round-robin format within their groups before qualifying for quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals. The men’s final is programmed for September 7 while the women’s final is programmed for September 8.

Wheelchair basketball paralympics women’s group

In Group A are Great Britain, China, Canada and Spain – it will be an exciting series of matches. This group contains Netherlands as reigning World and Paralympic Champions together with Japan, USA and Germany making it equally competitive in Group B showcasing the different strengths each team has.

Wheelchair basketball paralympics men’s group

The European heavyweights are dominating Group A of the men’s competition. The host nation France has to battle with Great Britain who are reigning champions of Europe, Germany and Canada. This group promises to have games with intense competition and high quality.
Another group that should be kept an eye on as the tournament goes by is group B which has the defending champions USA taking on other top contenders like Spain, Netherlands and Australia.

Complete schedule of the wheelchair basketball paralympics 2024 matches with timing in IST: