NGO hosts walking football tourney for Parkinson’s victims – The Nation Newspaper

In a bold move to integrate physical activity into therapy for people with Parkinson, Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation , a Non-Governmental Organization, has concluded its second edition of Walking Football and Parkinson Disease Tournament.

The 5-a-side match, which was held at the Eagle Club, Surulere, Lagos last  weekend was in collaboration with Parkinson’s Africa.

Head of Programs at the foundation John Akinola said that the walking football was inspired by practices already in place in the Western world, where football is used to support Parkinson’s patients.

The adaptation , according to him, has proved to be highly effective, fostering enthusiasm and engagement among persons living with Parkinson.

“From what we have seen here so far, the support for the foundation has been remarkable,” Akinola said. “Last year, we had fewer than eight teams participating. This year, that number has nearly tripled, reaching about 20 teams, including corporate organizations and volunteers.

The awareness about Parkinson’s in Nigeria is growing, and we expect that by next year, we could see participation from up to 50 teams.”

A partnership with Parkinson’s Africa, a leading organization overseeing Parkinson’s initiatives on the continent, has further strengthened the foundation’s efforts.

Akintola  noted that while the foundation’s primary focus is in Nigeria, its programs have extended to West Africa, inspiring other regions to adopt similar therapeutic approaches.

Parkinson is  a chronic condition that impacts motor skills and quality of life, poses significant challenges.

 Akinola emphasized that while the disease cannot be controlled, maintaining an active lifestyle can slow its progression.

 “It’s not the end of the road,” he reassured. “Parkinson’s chose you, but you can choose to live better. You can advocate, stay active, and not let Parkinson’s ground you.” Speaking on the side, an ambassador for Parkinson walking football, Joe Gregory, who hails from England shared his inspiring journey of rediscovering passion and purpose through walking football after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease five and a half years ago. Gregory, who visited Nigeria to support a recent walking football tournament, revealed that his diagnosis initially led him to believe he would never play football again.

However, contrary to his fears, he has found fulfillment and improved quality of life through regular participation in the sport. “I played for England and also managed as well. I come from a footballing family—my father and older brother were both professional footballers,” Gregory said.

“But since my diagnosis, I’ve played two to three times a week and have even participated in events in many countries. Coming to Nigeria has been a fantastic experience.” Walking football, which started in England three years ago with just six teams, has grown significantly. Today, Gregory explained that there are approximately 30 to 40 teams across England, including an international team Gregory plays for.

 The success of the initiative, exemplified by the recent Cure Parkinson’s Cup with 20 teams, has encouraged him to advocate for its expansion to other countries, including Nigeria.

“I would absolutely recommend this for Nigeria,” Gregory stated.

 “It’s a great opportunity to not only help individuals with Parkinson’s stay active but to build a supportive community. I would be happy to help develop this initiative in Nigeria and even create an international team that could play in England at Saint George’s Park, home of the English FA.” Gregory, who recently celebrated his 66th birthday, shared that walking football has benefited both his physical health and emotional well-being. “It’s maintained my health, and it’s also been great for my emotional state,” he said.

 “For people with Parkinson’s, being part of a team can remind you that you matter, that you’re valued by others, whether it’s family or teammates.”

His message was clear: for those living with Parkinson’s, staying active and involved in a team sport can be transformative. The sense of community and shared purpose that comes from walking football can be crucial in helping individuals’ combat feelings of isolation and maintain their quality of life.

The event, which included matches involving people living with Parkinson’s, demonstrated the positive impact of community-driven exercises. It underscored the importance of physical activity as a means to improve the lives of those affected, offering hope and motivation to persevere despite the diagnosis.