Fast growing wheelchair sport takes workshop to growing hub in north central Nigeria

Kwara, north central Nigeria, appears not to be unrelenting sports after it recently attracted the hosting of top grade national wheelchair basketball workshop, it has been learnt.

The sport is a fast-paced, hard-hitting, competitive sport played by two teams where the object is to shoot the ball into the opposing team’s hoops and Kwara appears to be getting recognition in the game.

As part of sports in Paralympics, the state in Nigeria contributes more than fair share of the country’s ambassadors to the sporting meet.

Wheelchair Basketball to stage Nat’l workshop in Kwara state

According to Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, WBFN, it has concluded arrangements to organize a national technical workshop for coaches and officials in Kwara.

According to details released by Secretary General, WBFN, Aminu Sikiru, Friday, the workshop will start on 19th February and last for three days at the indoor sports hall of Kwara State Sports complex, Ilorin.

“Kwara State is becoming a force to reckon with in wheelchair basketball and one of the ways to encourage the state’s continuous participation is by bringing the seminar to the North Central state.

“One of our objectives is to ensure those saddled with the responsibility of impacting fundamental skills/knowledge are trained, tested and certified,” explained Sikiru.

According to the schedule, the workshop commences with lectures from 20th to 2nd February and the participants are expected to pay 5,000 naira for the programme.

“In preparation for the commencement of the 2023/2024 season, the Federation has concluded arrangements to host a 3-day National Wheelchair Basketball Technical Workshop in Ilorin.

“We cannot get the best out of our players from our leagues if we don’t have sound referees and coaches.

“The relationship between coaches, players and referees is symbiotic. So as we are focused on improving our output from the grassroots, we also need to pay special attention to our referees and coaches,” he added.

He added, too, that there would be appraisal for trainers in both theory and practical, while certificates and licenses would be issued to successful coaches based on the results.

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