Koteshwar Ramavath will lead the Indian Wheelchair Handball team at the 4th IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship 2026 scheduled to be held in Spain from September 13 to 21, 2026.
Ajit Kumar Shukla has been named vice-captain of the team. Apart from Koteshwar, Suresh Dharavath also of Telangana is part of the squad.
Koteshwar was born in Gannerlapally Thanda, Chandampet Mandal, Nalgonda District in Telangana. His parents Thavurya Naik and Bharathi are farmers.
At the tender age of five, he was affected by polio in his right leg. Despite facing challenges, he pursued his education and completed his post-graduation in 2016 from Roda Mistry College of Social Work & Research Centre, Osmania University.
Against odds, Koteshwar excels
His journey in wheelchair basketball began in 2018, after his school junior and friend R Shankar Babu introduced him to the sport. Since then, Koteshwar has dedicated himself to sports and has been training regularly at KVBR Indore Stadium under the guidance of coach Gaven Sohail Khan.
Koteshwar’s commitment to wheelchair sports continued with his entry into wheelchair handball in 2022 under the Handball Association India.
He has represented India in three World Championships and is now preparing to represent the country once again at the 4th IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship 2026 in Spain. His appointment as captain is a proud milestone in his sporting career.
Speaking about the honour, Koteshwar expressed his happiness and gratitude. “I am extremely proud and honoured to be selected as the captain of the Indian Wheelchair Handball Team. Representing India is a great privilege, and I will give my best for the team and the country,” he said.
He expressed his thanks to the Handball Association India, coaches Mane, Sai Krishna, Khaja, and Rahul for their guidance and support.
Koteshwar also conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to his family for their constant support and to his wheelchair basketball coach Gaven Sohail Khan for his encouragement and guidance throughout his sporting journey.
Being the captain of both the Indian Wheelchair Basketball team and Indian Wheelchair Handball team is a matter of immense pride for Koteshwar. His journey from a farming family in Nalgonda to representing and leading India on the international stage is an inspiring example of determination, hard work, perseverance and passion for sport.
Koteshwar wishes to give his best for India at the 4th IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship 2026 in Spain and make the nation proud. “I’m looking for RGK Sports wheelchair which costs Rs 8 lakh,” he said.
Indian team: Koteshwar Ramavath (capt, Telangana), Suresh Dharavath (Telangana), Minakshi Harichandra Jadhav, Somnath Jadhav, Abhijit Patil, Anil Kumar Kachchi (all Maharashtra), Sakshi (Uttarakhand), Ajit Kumar Shukla (vice-captain, Punjab), Siddappa Patagundi, Fakirappa Karavinakoppa (both Karnataka).
