Siphamandla Gumbi Brings Wheelchair Basketball to the PeacePlayers Global Exchange
*DATE*July 26, 2024
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Siphamandla Gumbi is a South African Wheelchair Basketball Pioneer and Advocate. He shared his experience teaching Global Exchange youth how to play wheelchair basketball.
I, Siphamandla Gumbi, founder of the EThekwini Spears Wheelchair Basketball team, am proud to be among South Africa’s global leaders striving to improve and offer opportunities for disabled individuals to participate in sports. As an advocate for inclusion, I am involved in the Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP), which is a professional development exchange pairing international leaders with American sports executives. The GSMP promotes inclusion and gender equality through two thematic areas: the espnW GSMP on women’s rights and Sport for Community: GSMP on disability rights.
Under the U.S. Department of State’s Sports Diplomacy initiative, the GSMP stands as the Department’s flagship professional development program, advancing social inclusion by uplifting marginalized populations, particularly women and people with disabilities, through sports.
I view inclusion in sports, particularly wheelchair basketball, is about more than just providing access. It is about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to excel. It is about challenging stereotypes, changing perceptions, and building a more inclusive society.
PeacePlayers South Africa exemplifies the transformative power of sports. You guys show us that when we play and work together, we can overcome our differences and work towards a common goal. You remind us that inclusion is not just a policy, but a practice that requires dedication, empathy, and action.
Let us continue to support initiatives like wheelchair basketball and inclusive communities.
Meeting the PeacePlayers Global Exchange, with able-bodied youth from Northern Ireland and the United States of America and running a wheelchair basketball session for them was an exhilarating experience. It was thrilling to see their curiosity and enthusiasm as they tried out wheelchair basketball for the first time. The session was not just about teaching them the basics of the sport, but also about giving them a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs that come with playing wheelchair basketball. Watching them adapt, overcome initial difficulties, and eventually enjoy the game was incredibly rewarding. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion and the unifying power of sports, we loved it.
