The WSBA team with students and officials at the Al Noor Institute for the Blind

Members of the South African Paralympic wheelchair basketball team (WSBA) yesterday visited a number of schools as part of the ‘Definitely Able’ campaign, aimed at inspiring youngsters with disabilities to participate in sport and to raise awareness of the Qatar Paralympic Committee’s (QPC) activities.
A gala dinner to celebrate the campaign also took place last night, with secretary general of the Qatar Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani welcoming guests and highlighting the power of sport to play a major role in the lives of people with disabilities.
The campaign, which has been launched by Sasol energy corporation in conjunction with the QPC and QOC, saw the WSBA visit Al Noor Institute for the Blind, as well as Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs and Aspire Sports Academy.
The team took a tour of Al Noor Institute with general supervisor of the school, Saif al-Hajri who said:
“The ‘Definitely Able’ Campaign is the perfect platform to change attitudes about people living with disabilities. It promotes inclusion and we welcome the launch of this worthwhile initiative focused on empowering disabled people to play a more active role. ”
Managing director of the institute, Dr Hayat Khalil Nazar welcomed the team from South Africa, and expressed her belief in the importance of participation in various sports and its impact on the health and social well-being of disabled athletes.
Dr Hayat described the programmes that the institute currently runs, before the participants took part in a photo opportunity to promote awareness and understanding that “Being Disabled means Definitely Able,” as part of the campaign.
The team then visited Shafallah Centre where they were met by managing director, Sameera al-Qassimi, who showed them the facilities at the school before introducing the team to a number of students.
“The visit by the WBSA team and the coaching sessions proved to be hugely popular, with all the young people picking up the skills quickly. The sessions are well designed to give participants the opportunity to learn the basic skills required,” she said.
Finally, the team visited Aspire, where they met with students and gave them the opportunity to try wheelchair basketball.
A spokesperson from Aspire said: “Giving children the opportunity to try a sport like wheelchair basketball can help them understand that no challenge is too big in life to overcome. It also offers teachers an inclusive activity where disabled students play alongside their classmates.”
The WSBA team will take part in an exhibition match at City Center on Thursday at 6pm.