Body Lyrics unveils Autism, Wheelchair Taekwondo, seeks support for inclusive sports

Body Lyrics Global Elite Club has unveiled its Autism and Wheelchair Taekwondo initiative to expand access to sports, physical fitness and talent development for people living with disabilities in Nigeria.

The initiative was unveiled as the club marked Season 10 of its Possibility 9ja programme, which began in 2011 but experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings.

The club is seeking financial assistance, equipment and strategic partnerships to develop the new initiative and provide suitable training opportunities for participants with autism and wheelchair users.

Dare Drelee Agboola, the club’s founder and a pioneer Nigerian Para-Taekwondo practitioner, said the programme was designed to demonstrate that disability should not prevent people from participating in sports and developing their abilities.

He appealed to individuals, corporate organisations, philanthropists and government agencies to support the initiative, expressing concern over the limited assistance available to athletes with disabilities.

Agboola recalled that he financed his participation in the World Championship in Moscow in 2014 from his personal resources, without external support.

He said the experience highlighted the difficulties faced by athletes with disabilities who seek to represent Nigeria internationally without adequate institutional and financial backing.

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According to him, the club now hopes to secure partners who can help expand Autism and Wheelchair Taekwondo training, acquire appropriate equipment and make the programme sustainable.

Speaking on the initiative, Mrs Olubunmi Saheed, a first-degree black belt and representative of Body Lyrics Global Elite Club, described the unveiling as a significant milestone in the organisation’s development.

“This year, we are officially unveiling Autism and Wheelchair Taekwondo in Nigeria. Our vision is to create more opportunities for people with different abilities to participate in sports, build confidence and demonstrate what they can achieve,” she said.

She added that the initiative reflected the club’s commitment to making physical activities accessible beyond conventional sporting communities.

Founded in 2007 at Fela Field, Ipaja, Lagos, Body Lyrics Global Elite Club initially focused on Taekwondo training before expanding into community fitness activities.

Between 2009 and 2010, the club moved its activities to the basketball court at Abesan Estate’s Youth Centre, formerly known as Pius Ikedia Field. It subsequently introduced open-air aerobics for parents and other community members, broadening its focus to health, wellness and community participation.

Basiru Toyosi Kelani, the club’s public relations officer and Chief Executive Officer of Yoruba Place on Instagram, said the organisation’s growth had been driven by its commitment to healthy living, discipline and accessible fitness programmes.

Mrs Funmilayo Oshin, the club’s head of welfare, said Season 10 of Possibility 9ja offered an opportunity to reconnect with participants, reflect on past challenges and introduce programmes with wider social impact.

However, the success of the initiative will depend on instructor training, accessible facilities, safeguarding arrangements and collaboration with families, disability organisations and relevant sports authorities.

With the planned unveiling, Body Lyrics Global Elite Club is seeking to extend its community sports legacy into inclusive physical activity, using its Season 10 celebration to highlight the principle that sporting participation should be open to people of different abilities.