Wheelchair basketball star makes it to France to begin make-or-break opportunity

Sphelele Dlamini played his first game for Lannion's Team 2 on 1 November.

Supplied by Sphelele Dlamini. Picture: Alain Marie

Sphelele Dlamini,a wheelchair basketball player from KwaMashu,has begun a life-changing,10-month contract with French club CTH Lannion.Despite losing his legs at birth and supporting his family of seven on a R2 180 disability grant,he remains determined to excel on the global stage. He raised just over R90 000 for travelling and is grateful for the support,with his sights now set on securing a contract renewal and to inspire his community.After many months of fundraising,KwaZulu-Natal wheelchair basketball player Sphelele Dlamini has made it to France to begin a 10-month contract – an opportunity he says could change his life and that of his family in KwaMashu.

Dlamini lost his legs after birth due to medical complications,but that did not stop the resilient 29-year-old from pursuing a life of purpose and passion.

This month,he boarded a plane to begin a 10-month contract with French Division One club CTH Lannion. The club offered to pay for accommodation and meals,and after a tremendous fundraising effort,he raised just over R90 000 against a personal target of R250 000 to help finance the rest of his dream.

Backabuddy | Sphelele’s Dlamini’s wheelchair basketball travelling funds“It feels amazing. I’ve been dreaming of playing wheelchair basketball on the world stage,and this is a life-changing opportunity,” he told News24 from the small village of Lannion.

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“Not just for me,but for my family,my community ... my fellow brothers and sisters within the sport in SA.”

This is not the first time Dlamini has played in France,but it is the first time he will play for a division one club. A renewal of his contract is the first prize,but the increased competition also puts him in the spotlight,making him a target for other teams to scout.

Sphelele walking around the town of Lannion on his prosthetics provided by Jumping Kids SA.

Supplied/Sphelele Dlamini

Sphelele walking around the town of Lannion on his prosthetics provided by Jumping Kids SA.

Supplied/Sphelele Dlamini

“It means everything to me. The first two days were tough,obviously trying to understand my teammates and getting to know how they play and how the coaches work.

“But as someone who’s been in France before,my main focus is more on grabbing this opportunity and making it work. The club’s got a great history of development.”

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Family of seven supported with disability grant

READ | He lost his legs at birth. Now he can change his family’s life through sport in France

But the young man-turned-wheelchair-basketballer is determined to make his family proud.

“My parents are excited and hoping that l get more opportunities and achieve my goal of getting a contract.”

Dlamini played his first game on 1 November with Lannion’s Team 2,and hopes to get more opportunities. In the meantime,he is enjoying exploring his new home on his prosthetics.

Sphelele played his first game for Lannion's Team 2 on 1 November.

Supplied/Sphelele Dlamini. Picture: Alain Marie

“My favourite thing so far is just living in [a] city that has most things around,” he said. “Moving around the whole of Lannion is still a bit complicated,though it is a very small place.”

As he sets his sights on the next 10 months,he wanted to thank those who helped get him there.

“Thank you to everyone who shared my story and donated. Special thanks to Jumping Kids SA and Leah Rudman. Thank you to everyone who has supported and those who are going to support in advance.”

If you would like to contribute to Sphelele’s BackaBuddy,you can find it HERE.

If you have a feel-good story to tell,email [email protected].

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