Photo Courtesy of NYPD
Sgt. Clarke said he brought the Wheelchair Classic to PBQS “to bring attention to disabled veterans and all disabled people in general.”
By Forum Staff
Police officers assigned to Patrol Borough Queens South recently organized a wheelchair basketball game in Jamaica to honor military veterans.
Established earlier this month by PBQS Community Affairs Sgt. James Clarke, the First Annual Wheelchair Classic was held at Roy Wilkins Recreation Center on Baisley Boulevard and 177th Street. A team of police officers from the 100th, 101st, and 113th precincts along with cops from Police Service Area 9 played the Brooklyn Nets wheelchair basketball team.
“The idea came from the Rev. Dr. Barbara Williams of the Chaplains Unit,” Clarke said. “Back in the ’90s, I played in a Brooklyn North league that was organized by Rev. Williams when she was a detective. When our season was over she would have us play one game in wheelchairs against players with disabilities. I felt it was a great idea and I wanted to bring it to Queens South to bring attention to disabled veterans and all disabled people in general.”
The Nets team is comprised of local athletes who compete in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, a 150-team league that coordinates competitions in cities across the U.S.
“We practice once a week and travel all over the country for tournaments. My message is: You’re still active, you can still move, you can be a part of something,” said Dave Deas, Nets team manager.
