Wheelchair Basketball stars ‘Definitely Able’ to inspire disabled students during school visits

Star players of the South African Paralympic Wheelchair Basketball team (WBSA) visited three Doha schools to kick start the ‘Definitely Able’ campaign launched before yesterday.

A collaboration between the South African energy corporation Sasol, the Qatar Olympic Committee and Qatar Paralympic Committee, the campaign aims to create awareness and visibility of Qatar Paralympics Programs and Sasol’s commitment to being a partner in the initiative to encourage participation of the disabled in sport.

Accompanied by the general supervisor of Alnoor institute for the blind Dr. Saif Al Hajri, the day began with a visit to Al Noor Institute for the Blind where Dr Hayat Khalil Nazer, Managing Director welcomes the WBSA players and officials and emphasizes in her words on the importance of the participation of the disability people in different kind of sports which has its positive impact on health, culture and entertainment phases in the disability’s life.

Dr Hayat shows the visitors the programs and services that AlNoor Institute for the Blind provides for the disability people,  after the tour in AlNoor institute, they took time out for a photo opportunity in order for  promoting awareness and understanding that “Being Disabled means Definitely Able’.

“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. ” said Dr. Saif Al Hajri.

Next Stop was the Shafallah Center where the team was by welcomed by Mrs. Sameera Al Qassimi – Managing Director. The team first took trip of Shafallah’s center services and facilities and then met students, signed autographs and imparted some inspirational messages.

“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.” Mrs. Sameera Al Qassimi, Managing Director, Shafallah.

Finally, ahead of the “Definitely Able” exhibition match against a Qatar Paralympic Committee team at City Center on Thursday 7th June (6pm), the players visited ASPIRE. Encouraging more schools, teachers and students to try wheelchair basketball, an ASPIRE spokesperson commented: “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”.

For more information about Sasol’s social and community initiatives, including more details of the South Africa Wheelchair Basketball team, visit www.sasolwithyou.co.za.

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