Sports
Using cycling to change autism story in Ghana
Autism, a serious developmental disorder, especially among children, that impairs the ability to communicate and interact is a major health concern not only in Ghana but across the globe.
The effects of the disorder impact largely on the development of children and often prevents them from having the normal playful childish life as compared to the supposedly ‘normal children’.
It also prevents them from engaging in physical activities especially sports.
Globally, autism patients are unable to participate in active sports; let alone become professionals except for charity purposes.
The story is not different in Ghana, especially in the rural areas where such children are labeled as outcast and many of their age mates do not wish to mingle with them or play games together.
But that notwithstanding, 13-year-old Phil Bertino, Prince Effah, eight years, and Michael Djanie, three years; all autistic children have defied the odds and found solace in cycling.
The three young children with tutelage from one of Ghana’s top cyclists, Isaac Sackey, have taken up the sport and actually working to become professionals.
When the Times Sports visited their regular training grounds at the Legon Botanical Gardens, the three, along with other children rode their hearts out in a way that practically makes it difficult to differentiate them from the other children.
Excited with the journey of her ward in cycling, mother of young Phil, Mrs Angel Elizabeth Bertino, who came along with other parents to support their kids said, she was willing to push Phil all the way to the top of the sport.
She said the young lad has exhibited massive interest for the sport and that has impacted hugely in his upbringing in general.
Mrs Bertino who runs the Liztino Center for Children with Special Needs, added that, Phil started playing piano, tennis and basketball but anytime he saw people ride the bicycle, he was happy and wanted to join them.
“That was when I realised the interest in the sport and got in touch with Sackey to help four months ago and he has not looked back since. Research also shows that cycling helps with the development of their brains and it has really impacted as he could now read and does almost everything as his peers,” she explained.
“I want him to become a professional and travel across the globe for competitions. The mountain bike racing is usually an individual race and he could go anywhere he wants. He really loves what he is doing and I am ready to take him to wherever he wants to be,” she stressed.
Engaging in cycling, she said, has also helped Phil to reach 90% recovery from the disorder, adding that, with early interventions such as introducing such kids to sports would go a long way to help them live a normal life.
She urged parents with autistic children to get them involved in sports as it helps with their development and management of the disorder.
“Parents should avoid locking such children in their rooms because when they are supported and provided with the necessary things as any other kid, they could rise to the challenge. Phil is a happy kid now and can do a lot for himself and siblings,” she added.
“The acceptance of autistic children in Africa is not the best and efforts must be put in place to raise the awareness so they would be considered as part of society. The country and society as a whole has not been very supportive of children with autism and it is very terrible,” she stated.
She expressed appreciation to Sackey and the cycling fraternity for supporting Phil and other kids to become the best they could and urged other sports federations to also find a way to reach out to such group of people in society.
Father of Prince, an eight year old autistic child, Mr Kweku Effah, added that with just three weeks of riding, he has seen some positives in the child’s development, adding that the sky was the limit for the kid as he was also willing to support him to get to the top.
“They must be supported to unearth their talents. I think cycling is the right sport for these children. He used to ride around at home but now do so with skill. They can do wonderful things that normal kids cannot do; they can do exploits and must be supported to get to the highest level possible,” he added.
Mr Ebenezer Djanie, (young Michael’s father) said engaging his ward in cycling was part of the healing process but could consider making him a professional following his development.
“We need to understand the kids, accept them as they are and help them overcome what they are going through now. Government and other stakeholders must go beyond policies on paper and do more to support children with autism,” he stated.
The sports fraternity, he said, has also not accepted these people. They can excel in various disciplines because they have the potential and advised the authorities to develop special competitions for them.
For coach Sackey, it has been a delight training the kids.
He said they have extraordinary strength and learn very fast and practically does better than some normal kids.
“Phil is very good. He can do well and possibly become a champion in cycling in the near future. Such kids should not be kept in their rooms alone but rather be exposed to sporting activities and be nurtured to develop like any other talented child,” he stressed.
Aside creating jobs for them, he said, it could also help put them in good health and shape which was essential to their entire development.
Of a truth, this remains an area yet to be exploited despite having Special Olympic teams that only come to light when there are international competitions, but cycling has shown the light and other sports must follow to put smiles on the faces of the affected children.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
ADUANA FC’s title-winning aspirations will be on the line tomorrow when they host Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League Match day 27 game at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa.
Currently lying fifth on the log, seven points adrift of leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, Aduana believes the title is within their reach and they will give it their best shot, beginning with tomorrow’s game.
In their last five fixtures at Dormaa, Aduana FC has recorded a single win, drawing twice and losing the rest, a trend coach Aristică Cioabă is hoping to end tomorrow.
Both teams have met twice this season; the first-round tie ended 1-1, with Aduana Stars knocking out Kotoko, the defending champions of the MTN FA Cup, on penalties in their round of 16, to set the tone for an epic encounter tomorrow.
Kotoko go into this game spurred by the 3-0 victory over Nations FC last week, the first after six attempts in the Garden City derby, while Aduana FC fell 2-1 to Bechem United in the Bono derby last week.
Accra Hearts of Oak will make a return to the Accra Sports Stadium to face returnees Swedru All Blacks in a cagey encounter.
Phobian fans are up in arms with their team following recent home performances.
Hearts of Oak’s home record this season at the Accra Sports Stadium stands at five matches, of which they won one, drew three and lost one.
In all, the Phobians have drawn 12 games this season, seven at home with four home victories; a pattern that has left their faithful very livid.
The Phobians, who lie fourth on the log with 42 points, six behind leaders Bibiani Gold Stars, harbour a title-winning dream, and victory tomorrow will further make that dream clear.
Coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle of Swedru All Blacks believes he has what it takes to ‘kill’ that dream of the Phobians and is looking to unleash striker Rudolf Mensah on the Phobians to continue from where he left off last week against Hohoe United.
After overtaking over Medeama SC to go top of the GPL table, Gold Stars will trek to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale to play Karela United tomorrow.
Karela United, who were on a five-game unbeaten run before being blown away in Berekum last week by Berekum Chelsea, are hoping to return to winning ways as they seek a top four finish.
Gold Stars coach Fritz Schmid, winner of the NASCO coach of the month for February, will be banking his hope on current leading goal king Samuel Atta Kumi to help his side solidify their stay at the top with yet another victory or a point on the road.
Coach Nurudeen Amadu of Karela United believes his side would react positively after their first defeat in the last six games last week by picking up the three points available.
After applying the brakes on former league leaders Medeama SC last week, Dreams FC will turn their attention to the Hohoe Stadium when they play as guests of Hohoe United, who are battling relegation.
The league’s second-top scorer with 10 goals, Augustine Okrah, will lead Bechem United to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to test their strength against Samartex FC.
At the Wenchi Sports Complex, relegation-threatened Young Apostles will look to jump out of the zone with a win when they take on visiting Heart of Lions.
Berekum Chelsea will chase a second straight victory when they visit Nations FC at the Kwame Kyei Sports Complex in Abrankese.
The Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema New Town will today host the clash between eighth-placed Vision FC and visiting 12th-placed side Basake Holy Stars.
By Raymond Ackumey
The Laboma Beach Resort in Accra will be full of fireworks on April 5 when RBS Promotions and Box Office Promotions stage an international boxing event dubbed the ‘Resurrection Fight Night’ in Accra.
The event is set to feature top local and international boxers in what organisers described as a major platform to promote Ghana boxing on the global stage.
At the launch of the event last Friday, organisers outlined an exciting bill headlined by a 10-round national light heavyweight championship bout between Jonathan Tetteh and Abdul Aziz Quartey.
Other notable bouts included an eight-round lightweight contest between Alfred Lamptey and Maxwell Awuku, and another eight-round light heavyweight clash between Seth Gyimah of Ghana and Jamiu Animashaun of Nigeria.
Joseph Commey will face Bright Ayala in an eight-round lightweight contest, while Michael Abban takes on Benin’s Damien Zannou in a 10-round super flyweight fight.
Additional bouts will see Benjamin Lamptey battle Kamarudeen Boyefio in a six-round featherweight contest, while Clinton Nii Adjei is expected to feature in an eight-round cruiserweight contest against an opponent yet to be announced.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RBS Promotions, Dr Albert Tetteh Botchway, said the initiative formed part of efforts to nurture young boxing talents and position Ghana as a hub for international boxing.
He said the organisers were committed to producing a world champion for Ghana by 2028, stressing that it did not matter which camp the boxer would emerge from.
Dr Botchway urged unity among stakeholders in the boxing fraternity, including promoters, managers and trainers, to ensure the success of the event and the growth of the sport.
The Acting Teshie Mantse and Atofotse, Nii Martey Dzata Obrempong I, also appealed to boxers to remain disciplined and focused, noting that the event was organised in their interest to help them achieve their career aspirations.
He emphasised that boxing was a serious sport that required commitment and support from all stakeholders, adding that the event was not just a local contest but an international spectacle.
The CEO of Box Office Promotions, Mr Alex Ntiamoah, in his address described the event as more than a fight night, stating that it was a platform that blended sport, culture and business.
He said the initiative would create opportunities for fighters, brands and investors, while positioning Ghana as a destination for world class sporting entertainment.
Mr Ntiamoah further announced a series of pre-fight activities, including public appearances, workouts and a final press conference ahead of the main event.
According to him, a public workout session is scheduled for April 2, with the official weigh-in set for April 4, all at the same venue.
By Stephanie Birikorang
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