By Aderonke Ojo
President of the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), Oluwaseyi Johnson, has called for improvement in the performance of Nigeria’s national wheelchair basketball team as preparations intensify for the continental qualifiers.
The team is currently in a training camp in Abuja, ahead of the qualifiers scheduled to take place in Luanda, Angola.
Johnson rated the team’s performance at four out of 10 following a friendly match against a team of wounded soldiers on Saturday.
The match was played at the Package ‘B’ court of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium and formed part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming tournament.
According to Johnson, the modest performance was largely due to the short training period, noting that the players had spent only six days in camp after arriving from different parts of the country.
He, however, expressed optimism that the team would improve as training progresses.
Johnson also commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC) for supporting para sports and providing an enabling environment for the team’s preparations.
He explained that the team’s immediate focus is the continental qualifiers in Luanda rather than the Commonwealth Games.
“I am not looking at the Commonwealth Games yet. My focus is on the qualifiers in Luanda. Once we qualify, other opportunities will follow,” he said.
The wounded soldiers team used the friendly encounter as a learning opportunity against the national squad.
Christian Agoawuike, coordinator of the team, said the defence authorities use sports as part of recovery programmes for injured soldiers.
The team is preparing for the Invictus Games, scheduled to take place in Birmingham, United Kingdom, next year.
The Africa Unconquered Foundation, which supported the wounded soldiers team, aims to promote mental health and improve the quality of life of injured soldiers.
Its Director of Publicity, Ahmed Tijani, said the initiative was designed to achieve this goal.
Captain of the national wheelchair basketball team, Segun Bailey, expressed confidence that the team would secure qualification for Nigeria.
“We have learned a lot of different tactics and the coaches have done a great job. We are confident that we will make the country proud and secure qualification for Nigeria,” he said.
The Men’s category comprised Shittu Musbau, Adetayo Kehinde, Abel Oluwaseun, Akinde Tony, Bailey Oluwasegun, D Taiwo Babalola, Mohammed Muritala and Rilwan Abubakir.
While the Women’s team include Olabisi Ijigbamigbe, Nofisat Adefala, Amakor Patricia, Aishat Yahaya, Christiana Olowolagba, Grace Nwaozuzu , Olaleye Titilope and Folashade Obagbemi.
The team will be competing in the 2026 IWBF Africa Senior Men and Women Championships in Luanda from March 27 to April 4.
