Rising up in Bariga, Lagos, Musibau Shittu by no means imagined that sport would turn into his escape from hardship or the platform that will someday take him to many international locations in Africa and Europe.
He was barely 10 months outdated when he grew to become bodily challenged, and was younger when he started noticing that many individuals in his neighborhood survived by means of begging.
On this unique interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the nationwide wheelchair basketball participant shares the story of his unlikely path into para-sports, the struggles of rising up in Bariga, the state of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria, and his desires of reaching the Paralympics.
Excerpts…
PT: Inform us a bit about your profession. How did you become involved in wheelchair basketball?
Shittu: I began sports activities round 2000 or 2001. I used to be first a desk tennis participant, and I performed fairly effectively, however I by no means received the possibility to signify Nigeria. I additionally performed garden tennis for a few years. I additionally performed tournaments in South Africa, Switzerland, and France and was as soon as ranked round 110-115 on the earth in some particular person occasions.
However even throughout that point, I used to be already enjoying wheelchair basketball. It’s a group sport, and I like being a part of a group. So, I devoted myself to it. Thank God the coaches noticed the expertise in me and picked me for the nationwide group.
PT: In Nigeria, individuals with bodily disabilities are sometimes pitied and discouraged. Why did you select sports activities? Was it to problem that mindset?
Shittu: Rising up, my father wished me to concentrate on training due to my situation. He felt that was the one manner I may survive. However he died after I was nonetheless very younger, leaving my mom with six youngsters, and I used to be the fifth.
I wasn’t born disabled—it occurred after I was about 10 months outdated. My mother and father did their greatest, however life in Bariga is hard, particularly for somebody in my situation. I noticed many disabled individuals begging, and I didn’t need that life. So at first, I centered solely on my training.
However my brother launched me to sports activities, beginning with desk tennis. I wasn’t at first. I didn’t see how disabled individuals may survive by means of sports activities. However after I lastly joined desk tennis on the Nationwide Stadium, every little thing modified. I noticed Paralympians. I met individuals like Coach Anosiru Suli, who grew to become like a father to me. He formed my path in sports activities greater than anybody else.
PT: How did your confidence develop in wheelchair basketball particularly?
Shittu: Truthfully, I had no confidence at first. I noticed able-bodied individuals miss pictures, so I assumed it was not possible for somebody like me. However my coaches inspired me deeply. Coach O’Brien Adoki, who’s now late, was one of many pioneers of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria. He impressed us by exhibiting tales of individuals like Tobi Ogunyemi, who performed professionally in South Africa.
My first worldwide publicity was a visit to Ghana. Later, I used to be chosen to signify Nigeria on the All-Africa Video games in 2007 (in Algiers). That event satisfied me that basketball was my future.
PT: Evaluating the early years to now, has wheelchair basketball in Nigeria improved or declined?
Shittu: To be honest, we had been doing significantly better within the early years. We travelled to tournaments repeatedly and gained expertise. Folks like Hon. Bukola Olopade (present D.G Nigeria Sports activities Fee) actually invested in us round 2011–2012. We went to Morocco and lots of different locations.
In the present day, the sport is crawling. I don’t need to disrespect anybody, however the fact have to be mentioned. The game is much behind developments in Europe. I’ve performed in Africa and Europe, so I do know the distinction.
We don’t have sufficient tournaments, gear, or correct coaching buildings. With out these items, we are able to’t develop. It’s like sending a baby to highschool with out books.
PT: How did your breakthrough into European basketball occur?
Shittu: Earlier than I lastly moved to Europe, I had travelled a number of instances for tournaments—in France, Switzerland, Germany. My present teammate, Lukman Ibrahim, at all times invited me and informed his membership about me.
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I later received visas to the US and Germany in 2015. I selected Germany as a result of the US doesn’t run skilled wheelchair basketball the identical manner. Once I arrived, Lukman spoke to his membership, and so they took me as a result of they already knew my potential from my earlier go to. That was the breakthrough, and I thank God for it.
PT: What number of Nigerian gamers are at present enjoying professionally in Europe?
Shittu: Roughly, we’ve two in Italy, about 5 – 6 in France, and possibly two in Spain. Altogether, round 10 to fifteen Nigerian wheelchair basketball gamers are scattered throughout Europe.
PT: What private desires are you continue to chasing in your profession?
Shittu: My greatest dream is to play on the Paralympics. That’s the highest honour for any para-athlete. I additionally need to play on the Commonwealth Video games. Representing Nigeria will at all times be a precedence for me, regardless of the sacrifice. Even when I alter nationality someday, the blood in me will at all times be Nigerian.
PT: You grew up in Bariga. How a lot of an affect have you ever turn into on others with disabilities?
Shittu: I don’t reward myself, however in my small manner, I assist individuals. I don’t disguise my cellphone quantity. Folks name me for recommendation or assist, and I reply. Life is straightforward; we are going to all go away what we’ve behind someday. What issues is the legacy.
I additionally arrange my very own academy to help upcoming disabled athletes. Sports activities have modified my life and my household’s. I would like others to expertise that too.
PT: Inform us extra about your academy.
Shittu: It’s referred to as FOLMUS Disabled Sports activities Academy—F-O-L-M-U-S. We’re based mostly on the Nationwide Institute for Sports activities (NIS). We don’t have an workplace but, however we prepare athletes. Certainly one of our gamers received two gold medals in badminton on the final West African Video games held in Abeokuta. We help athletes throughout a variety of para-sports, not simply basketball.
My objective is to assist construct the following era.
