2020 African Paralympics: Nigeria wheelchair athletes face challenges

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With the All Africa Paralympic Games coming up in Morocco next year, Nigeria's wheelchair athletes are working hard to be ready for the event. They train three times a week in Lagos -- and despite the challenges they face, the athletes are brimming with confidence. CGTN's Deji Badmus caught up with them to learn more.

Putting in the hard work. These are some of the Para-athletes that will be flying Nigeria's flag at the maiden African Paralympic games in Morocco next year. Adebayo Ojuwaye is one the country's medal hopefuls in Wheelchair racing. He and his colleagues have been training for months now in preparation for the big occasion.

Their Coach, Babatunde Kolawole, is not leaving anything to chance putting them through their paces and driving them to bring out their best. With the Africa Paralympic Games set to hold separately from the main All Africa Games, Nigeria is expected to field more Para-sports for the games. And Wheelchair is one sport where the country is hoping to sweep the podium.

BABATUNDE KOLAWOLE NIGERIAN WHEELCHAIR COACH "So in Morocco it's going to be like the Paralympic because it's going to be all Para-sports. So we are all working hard and preparing our team so we can achieve that."

While the athletes are in high spirit and training hard, the team has one big challenge, which could derail their entire effort at the end of the day. They do not have the officially recommended wheelchair for the sports.

ADEBAYO OJUWAYE NIGERIAN WHEELCHAIR ATHLETE "I'm preparing hard to make Nigeria proud. If we can get good chairs, my colleagues and I will bring medals for Nigeria."

BABATUNDE KOLAWOLE NIGERIAN WHEELCHAIR COACH "The only way we can get it is for government to come to our help to come and assist this sport. And we need the private sector also to come and assist us because without them we can't get these. All these athletes you see he will then be in Paralympic 2020 and they will be Africa champions in Morocco next year."

They are still passionately forging ahead with the training hoping that somehow, the wheelchairs they seek will eventually come before the tournament proper.

DEJI BADMUS LAGOS, NIGERIA "Conditions are far from perfect for these Para-athletes but they have never been. Despite their challenges, they say they are determined to make the country proud in the All Africa Games. Deji Badmus, CGTN, Lagos, Nigeria."