The Wheelchair Basketball India Exchange Program, a landmark sporting and cultural exchange initiative between India and the United States, officially commenced at the Kumaraguru Institutions campus in Coimbatore on July 30, 2025. 

The program, supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Diplomacy division, is designed to foster sports skills, promote student success, celebrate cross-cultural understanding, and advocate for greater inclusion in society. Running from July 30 to August 10, 2025, this program also promises to enhance the understanding of sport and disability.

Delivering the special address, Tyler Ellis, International Sports Exchange Coordinator, FHI 360 highlighted Power of Sports Diplomacy. 

He highlighted that the visiting American delegation represents perseverance, advocacy, and achievement—qualities that reflect a broader belief in the United States that sport has the power to challenge perspectives and drive societal change.

He cited the importance of such exchanges in nurturing not just athletic talent but also leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and solidarity. “Sport has the power to change perspectives, uplift marginalized groups, and ultimately change the world,” Ellis affirmed. 

“What we are doing here goes beyond ramps and physical infrastructure—it's about affirming the value of people with disabilities and fostering a community where everyone belongs. We can’t do this alone; it takes a village. We are creating connections here that we will all take back with us. Thank you for recognizing the value in every person and for supporting efforts to create change within sport and in the broader world,” said Margaret Stran—Associate Director of Adapted Athletics at the University of Alabama and a pioneering figure in the field of adaptive sports.

Shankar Vanavarayar, President, Kumaraguru Institutions delivering the Presidential Address emphasized the institution's vision to play a transformative role in empowering young people and highlighted the importance of embracing diverse ways of growth within India's dynamic democracy.

He expressed pride in hosting a week-long event that fosters international connection and sports diplomacy, seeing it as a model for future global collaboration. Highlighting the interplay of disciplines such as material sciences and design with sports technologies, he encouraged aspiring engineers to address real-world challenges, such as the assistive technology needs of millions in India.

He called for collective effort among universities, government, organizations, and individuals to advance inclusive sports. HE affirmed the commitment of Kumaraguru Institutions to support and sustain such empowering initiatives. 

Various other guests delivered inspiring addresses.