After three days of intense action, Team Lagos, Team Ogun and Team Oyo have qualified for the Final of the 2024 Betking Wheelchair Basketball National League which will take place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja between May 19th to 22nd.
A total number of six teams comprising: Abia, Delta, Imo, Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states participated at the 2024 Betking Wheelchair Basketball National League (Atlantic Conference) which ended on Friday.
The President of Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation, Seyi Johnson told newsmen in Asaba that the Atlantic Conference lived up to expectations with the performances of the players.
Johnson said the players have shown that Nigeria possesses players who can ply their trades in European Leagues.
He said, “You can see the amazement in the spectators because most of them have not seen physically challenged individuals play basketball. One thing I am taking back home after the Atlantic Conference is that there is ability in disability. After watching the teams play during the league, the Director of Finance in Delta State Sports Commission promised never to miss the league.
“It has been wonderful; the Atlantic Conference of the Betking Wheelchair Basketball National League 2024 has brought out a lot of explosive experience as well as upsets. You can imagine Ogun state defeating host Delta by two points; see the kind of shots by the players”.
Johnson vowed to build on the successes recorded at the ongoing Wheelchair Basketball League and make it more marketable for Nigerians.
He said, “I promised to take wheelchair basketball from where it was to an enviable position among the committee of para sports. This is the first league in Nigeria for any para sports; we are building awareness throughout the country. The Savannah Conference took place in Kano City last month (April) and the experience was good for both the Northern players and the state; we are doing the same all over the country.
“After the final of the Betking Wheelchair Basketball National League in Abuja, our destination is Edo state for the President’s Cup”.
Team Kano, Team Kwara, Team Lagos, Team Ogun and Team Oyo will slug it out at the Final of the 2024 Betking Wheelchair Basketball National League in Abuja.