What's the attraction to wheelchair basketball? The aggression
Singapore hosts the 8th Asean Para Games until Dec 9. Ahead of the games we talked to some of the athletes who will represent Singapore.
He enjoys the rough and tumble. The clattering of wheels.
Though he readily jokes that should he fall while playing wheelchair basketball, he may not be able to push himself back up from the ground.
"I'm too top heavy now, I use to be able to do it when I was younger," says Mr Mohamed Hussein Abdul Jabbar with a grin.
"Now, I need my teammates to help me up," added the 56-year-old, chuckling.
However, the soft-spoken Mr Mohamed Hussein does not let his circumstances stop him from playing the game every weekend.
"I don't want to sit around the house and not do anything, I don't think that is how you should handle being disabled," he affirms.
"I have to be active, if I don't play, it just doesn't feel good."
He was introduced to the game by a friend when he was in his thirties. The attraction was to the tough aspect of the game.
There is no gentle rolling here. Nothing that falls into the stereotype of the wheelchair-bound invalid.
At times, it can almost seem gladiatorial.
"First time I played, I was surprised by how rough it was, it was my first time but the players did not hold anything back," he said.
"But, I enjoyed it, so I went right back in!" He added.
The father of two children is representing Singapore in wheelchair basketball during the 8th Asean Para Games.
His hopes for the games?
"To get a medal for Singapore," he says with determination.
"Be it, first, second or third, we will try our best," he added.
WHAT:
Wheelchair Basketball
WHEN:
Dec 6–Dec 9
WHERE:
Singapore Indoor Stadium
Get the full Asean Para Games athletics schedule here.
Catch the track and field action on Toggle and on the Sports Singapore YouTube channel.
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