Wheelchair b’ball star Shittu launches academy

File: Musibau Shittu

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Nigerian wheelchair basketball player Musibau Shittu has established a sports academy for young disabled athletes in Lagos, seeking to provide opportunities he lacked during his early career.

The FOLMUS  Disabled Sports Academy, based at the National Institute for Sports, supports athletes across various para-sports beyond wheelchair basketball.

“The academy is my way of giving back,” Shittu told reporters in Lagos.

“Sports changed my life, and I want others to experience the same.”

Shittu explained that many young disabled people face limited opportunities, as their families often struggle to support them or doubt that sports can provide a viable future.

“We don’t have an official office yet, but we train athletes and help them build confidence,” he said.

“One of our players even won two gold medals in badminton at the last West African Games held in Abeokuta.”

The academy operates with minimal funding, relying on Shittu’s personal income and small contributions from friends, saying, “We do what we can. Even if I cannot give them much, I give them knowledge and support.”

He appealed to the Lagos State Government and corporate organisations to partner with the academy to expand training and competition opportunities for young disabled athletes.

“Many talented athletes remain undiscovered because Nigeria does not have a strong system for identifying and developing para-sports talent,” Shittu said. “With proper support, Nigeria can become a leader in Africa. We have the talent. We just need to invest in the future.”

Segun Bailey, a basketball player and gym instructor, currently serves as the academy’s manager.

Peter, who has been covering sports for PUNCH for close to two years, focuses on combat sports reporting, special features and human angle stories

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