Trinidad and Tobago practice inclusive basketball

When it comes to incorporating all sectors in their plans to develop basketball, the National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT) is ahead by a mile.

Recently, the NBFTT and its President, Claire Mitchell, signed an incorporation agreement with Deaf Sports of Trinidad and Tobago (DSTT), a non-profit organization for deaf athletes created in 2011, becoming the first federation in the Caribbean to include the deaf and hard of hearing community. This also means that the DSTT will now be overseen by the National Federation, which brings the same opportunities to young people from different sectors and backgrounds so that they can portray their talents and capabilities.

“We are the first federation to have a deaf basketball member in the Caribbean,” said Mitchell.

“They actually had a national team that was supposed to go out (to compete) in 2016. We actually worked with them to have them recognised by the Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF)... So we’ve had them on the table to try to get them in (the NBFTT) but with all the disruptions with people keeping meetings back (there were further delays).”

The DSTT is presided by Valdano Tobias, a 32-year-old deaf young man who is also a basketball player.

““As DSTT president, I am glad to join NBFTT because we believe we come together as a team to develop deaf basketball by using their knowledge, understanding and skills in basketball,” said Tobias in an interview published on Newsday.

“(It is) very important for deaf players to excel at sports because they can (be) able to play normal, the same as hearing players in any sport. We just lose ears only. We have strong arms and legs,” he said.

This type of inclusive initiative isn't something new for Trinidad and Tobago. Already in 2016, Kushiah King, who is hearing impaired, had been chosen to participate in the U16 national team of the Caribbean country. He is testament to the fact that being deaf is no impairment to reach your athletic goals.

In written expressions in the Federation’s social media, the player stated:

“I don't hear the sound of the wind, birds, rain, or melody. But what my ears can't appreciate, my eyes see it. They are my most valuable asset, they are the window to my soul and my hands are the bridge that connects me to the world. I use them to speak, to write, and to express my thoughts. I do the same things you do: study, work, travel, drive, play sports, have children and be a parent. Actually, I have a life, and I run it like you.”

FIBA