Wheelchair Basketball Training and Demonstration gets Youngsters Moving and Motivated
October 20, 2016
Vientiane wheelchair basketball player shows a new player from Luang Prabang how to pass. Photo: Bernard Franck/World Education
A Vientiane wheelchair basketball player practices. Photo: Bernard Franck/World Education
On August 4 and 5, 2016, Asia Development with Disabled Persons (ADDP) Japan organized a wheelchair basketball training and demonstration match under the USAID-funded World Education Laos (WEL) TEAM project. During two intensive days at the National Stadium, Luang Prabang, ADDP Japan staff and five highly skilled players from Vientiane used their passion for basketball to help 10 young women and men with disabilities learn to play and love the game.
Spectators, who included officials from Provincial Education Service and Sports, Provincial Labor and Social Welfare, and WEL-TEAM project members, were impressed by the motivation and skills of the new participants, particularly the fervor of three new young women recruits.
“It is my first time playing wheelchair basketball and I love it because I never thought I could do this and I’m making friends,” said Bounnhang Thammanivone.
With the support of TEAM project, ADDP will create two new wheelchair basketball teams, one each in Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, and will train young players to be members. ADDP is refurbishing at least 20 used wheelchairs that it will donate to each province. “Wheelchair basketball is one of the most exciting sports among people who have limited mobility. It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm to expand this sport beyond Vientiane,” said Bernard Franck, technical director of WEL-TEAM project.
Vientiane wheelchair basketball player shows a new player from Luang Prabang how to pass. Photo: Bernard Franck/World Education
A Vientiane wheelchair basketball player practices. Photo: Bernard Franck/World Education
On August 4 and 5, 2016, Asia Development with Disabled Persons (ADDP) Japan organized a wheelchair basketball training and demonstration match under the USAID-funded World Education Laos (WEL) TEAM project. During two intensive days at the National Stadium, Luang Prabang, ADDP Japan staff and five highly skilled players from Vientiane used their passion for basketball to help 10 young women and men with disabilities learn to play and love the game.
Spectators, who included officials from Provincial Education Service and Sports, Provincial Labor and Social Welfare, and WEL-TEAM project members, were impressed by the motivation and skills of the new participants, particularly the fervor of three new young women recruits.
“It is my first time playing wheelchair basketball and I love it because I never thought I could do this and I’m making friends,” said Bounnhang Thammanivone.
With the support of TEAM project, ADDP will create two new wheelchair basketball teams, one each in Luang Prabang and Savannakhet, and will train young players to be members. ADDP is refurbishing at least 20 used wheelchairs that it will donate to each province. “Wheelchair basketball is one of the most exciting sports among people who have limited mobility. It’s wonderful to see the enthusiasm to expand this sport beyond Vientiane,” said Bernard Franck, technical director of WEL-TEAM project.
Click here to watch a video of the training.