Team SA headed in right direction ahead of African Para Games – Wiseman Dlamini

JOHANNESBURG – The race for African countries to qualify for the 2023 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) African Para Games continues across the continent.

Both the men’s and women’s South African teams have qualified for the September games, to be held in Ghana.

Eyewitness News caught up with Wiseman Kwenza Dlamini – a former national player and now part of the managing team of the South African wheelchair basketball teams to talk about the sport.

“I started playing wheelchair basketball at a very young age, I think I was 13 years at Filadelfia Secondary School. I had older guys who were looking after me so one day I asked to go with them to training and they agreed. When we got to the court there was an extra chair, so I jumped into the playing chair and that was the start of my career,” said Dlamini.

Well done the @SasolSA AmaWheelaBoys for winning the 2023 IWBF African Para Games Southern Zone Qualifiers, Ghana here we come!#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/IyQcTb9m7x

‘ wheelchairbasketball (@amawheelaBBall) April 9, 2023

The basketball player turned manager commended IWBF Africa’s development of the sport, but said he wishes for more organisations to step in and help basketball wheelers from a young age.

“I would like to take my hat off to the current IWBF Africa committee, in terms of developing the sport in the continent. They’re doing great so far. As for me, I wish the government departments or private sector would lend a hand in developing the game in schools and disability organisations,” said Dlamini.

Team SA was the first team to qualify for the 2023 African Para Games and is now joined by Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, Angola, DR Congo, Central Africa Republic, Kenya, and Uganda men’s teams; and in the women’s teams Algeria, Morocco, Ghana, Zambia, DR Congo, Kenya, and Nigeria.

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“As Amawheelas we are so lucky to have a partner like Sasol as our sponsor. Without Sasol we wouldn’t have achieved what we have achieved so far. I wish that other structures as well could be partners in all para-sports especially municipalities and private sectors”.

It’s more than a game.#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/3Ses78cnRc

‘ wheelchairbasketball (@amawheelaBBall) March 20, 2023

Funding for para-sports across sporting codes has been a contentious talking point on the continent, with many teams pulling out of competitions due to lack of funding.

African Para Games hosts – Ghana, along with Gambia on Thursday pulled out of the qualifiers due to finances only for Ghana to compete on Saturday after a scramble for funds.

“Host nation Ghana managed to resolve their financial strains at the 11th hour and was able to take to the court this afternoon, where they hosted Senegal, in the first Western Region Qualifier for the 2023 African Para Games,” said IWBF Africa on Facebook.

International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) caters to 104 national organisations for Wheelchair Basketball worldwide, broken down into four zones – Asia Oceania, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

“African teams need to start competing in international tournaments. Some overseas countries see potential and talent that Africa has and have gone as far as donating the playing equipment which is very expensive.”

Speaking about Team SA ahead of Ghana, Dhlamini said with Wheelchair Basketball head coach, Trooper Johnson at the reins, the teams have the potential to bring home the silver.

“I would say they played well at the qualifiers but there is a lot of work to be done ahead of Ghana and that will mean more dedication and working hard. With the new culture that Coach Trooper is coming up with, the players are starting to understand it.”