SHOTLIST:

KANO, NIGERIA (JULY 19, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. VARIOUS OF DISABLED ATHLETES TRAINING AHEAD OF ROLLER FOOTBALL MATCH

2. VARIOUS OF DISABLED ATHLETES PLAYING ROLLER FOOTBALL

3. TEAM FOUNDER AND HEAD COACH, IBRAHIM MUSA SPEAKING TO REPORTER

4. VARIOUS OF DISABLED ATHLETES PLAYING ROLLER FOOTBALL

5. ONE OF THE TEAM'S FORWARDS, IBRAHIM HASHIM, SPEAKING TO REPORTER

6. SUBSTITUTE PLAYER PREPARING AND ENTERING TO GAME (TWO SHOTS)

7. DISABLED PLAYERS PLAYING ROLLER FOOTBALL KANO, NIGERIA - JULY 19: In northern Nigeria’s Kano State, physically disabled individuals are finding purpose and connection through skateboard football — a local adaptation of the sport that promotes physical rehabilitation and social inclusion.

Played on wooden, skateboard-like boards, the sport allows people with lower limb disabilities to actively participate in athletic activity, providing both recreation and a sense of community. Known locally as “skateboard football,” the game has emerged as a symbol of resilience in a country where roughly 25 million people live with disabilities and social programs remain limited.

The team was founded in 1991 by handball coach Ibrahim Musa, who was inspired by disabled athletes he observed during international travels. He said many people with disabilities in Nigeria are marginalized and often resort to street begging.

Musa, who now serves as the team’s head coach, said the biggest challenge is the lack of proper equipment. The scarcity of wooden skateboards has forced some players to quit or miss training sessions.

Despite these hurdles, players like forward Ibrahim Hashim have found hope through the sport. Born with a physical disability, Hashim said he grew up watching other children play football and dreamed of joining them. Since joining the team in 2013, he has represented Nigeria in matches in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

Though not widely practiced across Africa, skateboard football has gained traction in Kano, reshaping perceptions of disability and offering former street dwellers a new path forward.

For these athletes, the humble skateboard represents far more than just a piece of equipment — it’s a symbol of survival, dignity, and belief in a better future.

The team has expanded its reach to countries including Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire, continuing to inspire others both on and off the field.

Writing by Nur Zeynep Dukmen