Sport Ghana Project #12459

empower 30 physically challenged through sports

by Hoops Care International

empower 30 physically challenged through sports

Project Report | Jun 23, 2014
International Wheelchair Basketball Tourney

By Claudius Thompson | Project Leader

Wheels4Hope Male Team

This year we were fortunate to participate in the 3rd Edition of Hon. Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Association. The tournament took place in Lagos Nigeria from the 16th to the 23rd of February.

Our team comprised of nine (9) male players and three (3) female players who were accompanied by two officials. In the tournament, the female took part in a 3X3 half court tournament.

The male team out of three games, won one and lost two, including a lost to the eventual champions of the tournament.

Although we were able to make the trip but not without difficulties. Firstly, no one or corporate body was able to sponsor the team transportation. Each players had to solicit funding on their own behalves and most of them end up borrowing in order to complete their transportation to Lagos, Nigeria.

There was even complications when they got to the Nigerian border since non had International passport they had to return to the Ghana/Togo border to process some form of permit which they then used to reenter Nigeria.

In all we are very thankful for making our first International splash despite all odds.

The Oluyole Warriors of Oyo State on Saturday emerged champions in the third Victor Ochei International Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Lagos.

Oluyole defeated Edo team 51-12 in the final decided at the National Stadium, Lagos.

The championship which had teams from five other West African countries, including Ghana and the Republic of Benin

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, who the competition named after, said that his compassion for the physically challenged in the society inspired his involvement in wheelchair basketball.

'I've compassion for the less privileged in our society. Beyond seeing them from the ambit of pity, they have hidden talents that people need to see and appreciate. I admire strength in their character. Like they say, there is ability in disability. These are special people who by no reason of theirs are physically challenged. We need to lend a helping hand and bring out the best in them"

We want to say a big thank you to him and the Nigerian Wheelchair Basketball Federation for their warm hospitality during the competition.

We urge more support from well wishers to continue to support us at Hoops Care International as we strive to empower of brothers and sisters who are physically challenged.

Three of the female players

A scence from one of the match

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Jan 6, 2014
Conference, donation and a friendly match

By Claudius Thompson | Project Leader

Cross Section of conference participation

The last quarter of the year was very successful. In October, the second Disability Empowerment Conference took place at the Alberta's Palace Beach Resort. In attendance were over 70 persons with disability including the physically challenged, hearing impairs, visually impairs and those with special needs. The theme of the conference was TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT. The conference took two days and the participants were educated on the current Ghana Disability Act, CPR, Healthy eating etc. The second day was reserve for fun games and it was exciting to see persons of various different disabilities compete in checkers, table tennis and other games, including a dance off. At the close of the conference a committee was set up which is to act as an advocacy group. The theme for next year was also chosen which is PWD- Our Rights Our Voice! The conference is jointly organized by Hoops Care International and Janaston Management of the USA.

In November, the MP of Cape Coast North, Hon. Barton Oduro, donated 15 wheelchairs to PWD in Cape Coast. Eight of the chairs were reserve for the wheelchair basketball program run by Hoops Care International. The event which took place at the Roman Park in Abura, Cape Coast, saw in attendance over 200 PWD. At the occasion, the MP who is also Deputy Speaker of Parliament stated that he would personally champion the fight for the enactment of the Ghana Disability Act which is to take full effect in 2016. He took the occasion to advice all building contractors to include disability friendly access in their building designs and call on the building inspectors to reject any public building that is not disability friendly.

The wheels4hope team, champion by Hoops Care International, played a friendly with their counterpart from the Western Region. In attendance were the MP of Cape Coast North and the Metropolis Chief Executive. The match was the climax of the wheelchair donation by the MP earlier in the day. The game was played at the Hoops Care basketball court at the Victoria Park in Cape Coast. The game was a huge one sided affair as our team showed great improvement as they easily handle their opponent winning 33-2 to the excitement of the crowd in attendance.

In December, members of the wheelchair basketball were taken on a trip to Accra to watch the local Black Stars take on the Mali National team. This is in regards to the opportunity which has come their way, which is, some members will have an all expense paid trip to watch the Black Stars in this year world cup in Brazil. How excited we are of another opportunity. 2014 is going to be a great year for our program. We ask that you continue to support us in prayers as well as financial means.

A Red Cross team demonstrates how to do CPR

Participants during lunch break

Donated wheelchairs by the MP

MP giving speech

Some of the beneficiaries

Group photo at end of game!

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Oct 7, 2013
Upcoming Conference, and other development

By Claudius Thompson | Project Leader

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