WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL EXCITES PLAYERS

MBABANE – Players are over the moon following introduction of wheelchair basketball in the country.

Wheelchair Basketball Swaziland (WBSD) is the one of the country’s disability sports programmes and it is supported by Australian Aid. It will be officially launched on October 11 this year at a venue to be confirmed.

During a visit in one of the practise sessions at Olympafrica Sports Development Centre in Lobamba yesterday, randomly interviewed players said they were excited to get an opportunity to exercise and socialise.

“It’s my first time to be here.
“Wheelchair basketball is good for exercising and I can’t wait to be back,” said Cebile Thwala.
In collaboration with the Swaziland National Basketball Association (SNBA) and different local communities, WBSD aims to start one wheelchair basketball club in each of the four regions. The programme is spearheaded by Cheshire Homes, which is a non-profit making organisation providing vital and affordable rehabilitative services to adults and children with disabilities.

Jo Leung from Cheshire Homes said the programme was first introduced at the institution’s car park in 2014 and it is now being formalised. It was the third session yesterday, and the players learnt the technique of dribbling and a played a game for the first time.  The sessions started about three weeks ago.

“At least 10 players were in attendance.
“They further mastered the skills of how to pick themselves up in case of a slip-up.
Wheelchair Basketball adopts most of the able-bodied game rules. It is played in the standard court with the hoop at standard height (three metres).

Clubs will be established across the whole country.
Also joining hands in the programme is the National Olympic Committee as it provides the playing venues and transport for the players, among other services.

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