Liverpool Paralympian Abdi Jama is currently in the French capital for the 2024 games A dad competing at this year's Paralympics in Paris has said he “will do everything to bring a gold medal back home” to Toxteth . Abdi Jama was born in Somalia but moved to Liverpool as a child. He has thrown thousands of hoops at the Greenbank Sports Academy, near Sefton Park, in preparation for his spot on the Team GB wheelchair basketball squad.
The dad-of-one became a wheelchair user at the age of 14 after an accident. He started playing the sport in the city after being introduced to it by his friend and fellow Paralympian Ade Orogbemi. Since then, the 41-year-old has travelled the world playing for clubs in Germany, Italy, Spain and Australia.
In this time, he has won three bronze Paralympic medals but is hoping for a different colour to add to his impressive collection this time around. Abdi previously told the ECHO: “All the hard work and dedication I've put in throughout the years to be still at the top of my game at this age, it's amazing and credit to all the support I've had. We’ve got youth and experienced guys, and being one of the main experienced guys I can give a lot to the players on and off court.
"The biggest thing for me is to bring that gold medal back home. We've come so close, but I think this is the year we're going to do it. To be the sole (Team GB) representative from Liverpool, L8 , it means a lot to me.
It’s absolutely amazing to represent my community,.