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NBA coaches took part in a Paris Basket Fauteuil training session last Monday. Paris will host the discipline's Paralympic tournaments in 2024. Here's how the session went!
"Get behind it, get some momentum going!": some twenty wheelchair players began their warm-up on Monday evening on the parquet floor of the Fillettes sports hall (18th arrondissement), very close to the Porte de la Chapelle. This was no ordinary training session for the Paris Basket Fauteuil team, it was led by NBA coaches, who were in Paris for Thursday's game at the Accor Arena!
"We're trying to develop basketball in all of its forms around the world," explains Eric, the NBA member who made the session possible, "this session is also an opportunity to draw inspiration from the Parisian experience in wheelchair basketball".
Wheelchair basketball was one of the first Paralympic sports and has around 900 players in France. The capital boasts several talented clubs, including Paris Basket Fauteuil and CAPSAA.
Lamine, 14, has been playing wheelchair basketball for two years.
Credit
Clément Dorval / Ville de Paris
Both disabled and able-bodied people were invited to play on one condition: it had to be in a wheelchair. The games were intense as experienced players and rookies took to dribbling, shooting and 3-on-3 mini-games.
"It's important to have this type of session. It really improves our game," says Manel Senni, who started wheelchair basketball three years ago, "the discipline requires a lot of learning, and matches are even harder!".
Wheelchair basketball at the Fillettes sports center (18th arrondissement) with the NBA
Credit
Clément Dorval/Ville de Paris
With the Paralympics just around the corner, she hopes that "clubs will continue their efforts on behalf of players with disabilities". Paris will be the sporting world capital during the Games: the Bercy Arena will host wheelchair basketball tournaments!
Lamine, 14, is equally enthusiastic. He discovered the sport two years ago: "I love the intensity of this sport and its speed", smiles the teenager, after two hours of effort.
"This type of meeting is very useful for our players, especially the younger ones," confirms Mohamed, a member of Paris Basket Fauteuil who has been playing since 2003. "They need to gain in team cohesion and train regularly to progress."
Another NBA initiative: on January 10th, the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted an exceptional event for players with disabilities.
Para-friendly clubs in Paris
- Some thirty sports associations have already opened slots for disabled athletes in Paris. All contacts here
- Paris Sport Handicap offers a wide range of adapted sports activities all year round: tennis, swimming…
- Paris Sport Handicap offers a wide range of adapted sports activities all year round: tennis, swimming…
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