Kaduna has neglected para-soccer

How were you introduced to this sport?
16 years ago, I saw a senior colleague called Mustapha playing in Ahmadu Bello Stadium and I developed the interest. I started playing and since then, I have not stopped.
How many players do you have in Kaduna para soccer team?
We have about thirty registered players.
How is the game played?
Each team is made up of seven players including a goal keeper. Each reserve bench has five players. A game of para-soccer lasts for 80 minutes. Each half takes 40 minutes with 15 minutes break.
Can you give an insight into your training schedule?
We train mostly when we have time in the evenings. What we normally do is that every new player is told to watch with keen interest and observe safety rules before he is allowed to start training.
How long did it take you to learn how to play this game?
It took me a year due to my zeal and constant practice. The truth is that i am a football fan so I am always watching of real football by local and international players. Although para-soccer is played with the hands, I learn tricks from football players. We also encourage many new comers to watch real football played by professionals.
How is para-soccer officiated?. Are there special referees for the game?
Physically challenged or a normal person can officiate training or para-soccer matches as far as he is conversant with the rules of football and para-soccer. You know we have our own rules of the game of para-soccer. For instance, we have acts what are considered off-side, foul, hard-tackle amongst others.
Talking about equipment, how do you get the roller skates and board you use in playing?
We do buy the real fairly used roller skate shoe and remove the upper part or the shoe that is attached to it. We then remove the shoe and attach a wooden board to it and a belt so that it can be used for training and for matches.
How much do you buy the roller shoes?
We buy the roller shoe at between N2,500 to N5,000 naira depending on the quality. Sometimes the traders sell one shoe top for us, but recently they sell two pairs to us.
How many competitions did you participate in?
I have played many. I represented Kaduna State at the National Sports Festival that was hosted by Kaduna State. It was called KADA Games.
How was the performance of your team?
We were the best losers as we took fourth position. The toughest matches we played were against Lagos, Kano, Plateau and Katsina
Who was your state coach?
Our coach was Yusuf Pate Bamalli. He was the coach who made the game what it is. He has really tried by influencing youngsters to play this game. He took us to play competitions in Lagos and Abuja.
How much support do you people receive from Kaduna State government?
Kaduna state government through the ministry of Sport has only provided us with a training pitch which is originally meant for handball in Murtala Muhammad Square Kaduna. But apart from the provision of a bus when we are going for competitions, we do not get any other motivations like allowances, training kits, roller skates, jerseys amongst others. In short, we are doing everything with our own little income.
Are you saying para-soccer has been abandoned by Kaduna State government?
It will be dishonest of me to say no to your question. Kaduna State government has recently abandoned its responsibility to sports including para-soccer. In the past Kaduna was like a training ground for sportsmen and women who want to go professional. But today, most officials in the ministry of sports are either sabotaging sports or are not sports enthusiasts.
How much have you gained playing para-soccer?
I have made some money in cash prizes that we won during competitions. But the support for sport in Kaduna at the moment is at its lowest ebb.
Apart from playing, do you also coach para-soccer?
Basically I play but when there is no referee I officiate during trainings. We usually get a volunteer as many people used to come and watch us play at weekends. I have not started coaching.
What do you do to minimise injuries when playing?
We used to tie the belt for safety to guard against accidents. It is also in the rules of the games that one must tight himself to the board before the commencement of any training or a match.
Are Hausas the only players of the game?
It is true Hausas are in the majority but other tribes also play para-soccer. There are other players in Lagos. Lagos team is a mixture of Hausas and Yorubas.
In your assessment, which state gives more support to para-soccer?
Lagos state gives support to sports, including para-soccer. I say this because whenever we meet at competitions, Lagos State athletes are better off. Government does everything for them.