Upcoming Basketball Program to Host Over 250 Participants in Lagos
LAGOS, July 24-28, The Mani Giving Back Foundation (MGBF) basketball program is set to welcome over 250 participants, including children and adults with and without disabilities, alongside 30 coaches in Ilupeju, Lagos. The event, organized by Germany-based Michael Ani, a two-time Special Olympics World Games Head Coach for Nigeria, will feature basketball games, skill clinics, and motivational sessions led by top athletes and coaches.
"This event promises to be a significant milestone in our journey," Ani remarked. "It goes beyond promoting sports; it aims to inspire young people by demonstrating that dreams can be achieved regardless of challenges."
Ani emphasized the priority given to children with disabilities, highlighting the program's role in fostering an inclusive society. Reflecting on his journey since 2008, Ani recounted his efforts in volunteering and coaching individuals with disabilities in Nigeria. He noted the lack of organized sports for these individuals at the time and his commitment to bridging this gap.
"In partnership with Special Olympics Nigeria, we established the first basketball team for people with disabilities. I trained over 50 players with diverse abilities for the World Games," Ani said. Despite moving to Germany for his professional basketball career, Ani has consistently returned to Nigeria to conduct training sessions since 2010. He introduced the Unified Games, which promote inclusion by having athletes with and without disabilities play together. This dedication saw Nigeria represented at the World Games in Los Angeles in 2015 and Abu Dhabi in 2019.
The clinic, part of Ani's ongoing mission to champion inclusivity and opportunities for people with disabilities in sports, also contributes to society through teaching, donating kits, and offering scholarships among other basic amenities to Nigerians.
