December 2018 Newsletter

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AN AFRICAN'S TALE AT THE WORLD CUP

By Bakare Ummukulthoum

Bakare Ummukulthoum (PT) at one of the iconic venues in Tenerife, Spain. Photo Credit: Anna Jodar Portas

As I walked out of the San Cristobal de la Laguna after a breath taking display against the United States team in the Quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup, I heaved a sigh of satisfaction. One, as a team physiotherapist; the anxiety of major injury worries to battle after a keenly contested game was over and two, the team played their hearts out and could walk around with our heads held high despite the defeat. Final score board 71-40 may not have given a true reflection of how things went but it was a respectable loss if any. Even the USA head coach Dawn Stanley has the following to say to the press "It was a hard fought game. Nigeria came out and pressured us and it bothered us probably in the first 20minutes of the game, and then we made adjustments in the style of play...Hats go off to Nigeria"

The journey to this aforementioned scenario started in 2017 when D'Tigress the Senior Women's Basketball Team of Nigeria emerged African Champions and qualified for the World Cup which held in Tenerife, Spain from 22-30September, 2018. The road to the African Championship too had its challenges and we were not in the odds to win it. We started the quest with defending Champions Senegal in the group stages who were favourites and we won the game as well as topped the group to advance to the next stage. Fast forward to the final and we were up against Senegal again and by this time we had exceeded all expectations and even if we were not going to win, we would still qualify for the World Cup as finalists. However, destiny had other plans. We not only beat Senegal and were crowed African Champions, we went the entire tournament undefeated 8-0. This feat has never happened in the history of men's or women's nations championships to go undefeated to lift the trophy. Working behind the scenes as medical staff with managing teams can be very challenging, exhausting and overwhelming. Understandably as a developing country, resources are very scarce and limited. You will be sleep deprived for sure and will make personal sacrifices as there are things you will need to deal with that certainly no textbook would have taught you. You are often mostly invincible and more often than not never get any recognition for what you do as for the most part in Africa, medical support for athletes is still considered 'optional' and not an integral part of a game plan for success. To serve your country is more of being patriotic than a profitable venture but passion for sports physiotherapy continues to be the driving force. Nonetheless, you are constantly at odds with lack of funds, struggling to cope with stress of limited resources, improvising and thinking on your feet and in your sleep how to make things work. However, it is for moments like the aforementioned; of being part of success stories, making history, setting new records and achieving things no one gave you a chance at that makes the sleepless nights and restless days all worth the while in the end.

Ezinne Kalu-Phelps, (point guard) of D'Tigress Nigerian Senior Women's Basketball Team in the foreground celebrating the quarterfinal qualification in Tenerife, Spain. Photo Credit: FIBA

As African Champions we began the countdown to Spain in July 2018 with limited resources, aspirations, hopes and dreams. The final roster was ready and we took our spot in Tenerife, Spain. The general buzz was that the African teams will be the first to exit the competition as always but the script was different this time. Senegal our African compatriots were in a group that featured heavy weights such as USA, China and Latvia whilst Nigeria didn't have an easier outlook as well with Australia, Argentina and Turkey making up the three fixtures of the group games. Our first game we lost against the Opals which was likely according to pundits. As expected the spirits after a loss is never the kind you want to experience. It just wrenches your being and the mood is not right. Our next games were coming thick and fast and we had to get over the loss quickly and step up to the next challenge. Up next was Turkey who were still basking in their win against Argentina in the opening fixture but more importantly with the confidence that they won a friendly we played barely a week before the World cup on their home soil in Istanbul. As the referee blew the whistle from jump-off, it was end to end stuff. Nigeria finally came tops recording her first ever victory at the World Cup against Turkey with final scores at 74-68. Earlier that day, Senegal became the first African country to win a game at the world cup defeating Latvia. The script writers pondered and the headlines were agog with the stories of the gallant women from Africa. The confidence levels were up and more importantly an eye on a spot in the next round considering the Argentinians were yet to win any game and they were our next fixture.

A goofy moment at the official team photo session in Lagos ahead of the tournament. Photo Credit: Modzero

There was a rest day to catch our breath a bit but 24hrs is never really enough for anything in competition. The D-day against Argentina came and we remained focused and determined to achieve the desired goal of another win. Yet again, we made it count with 70-75 as the final score. Payback time for Argentina ending the next round dreams of the Nigerian Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup earlier in June!( For some reason Argentina always end up in Nigeria's group). The team was heading to the qualifying rounds of the quarterfinals. It seems very surreal but it was happening. I had to pinch myself a few times and realise not only are we proceeding to the next round for the very first time in our history, we won two consecutive games to finish second in the group while doing so. At this point we had exceeded all expectations from experts and pundits and became the surprise team of the tournament as it were. At the FIBA world Cup, only the teams that finish top of the group qualify directly into the quarter finals. The second and third teams still have to play in a qualifying round for a spot in the quarterfinals. Our next opposition was Greece for a place in the Quarterfinals with the USA awaiting as they had emerged group winners. There was nothing to lose and we were the underdogs yet again. The game was intense and I could feel every single sound in the arena until the final seconds ran down and we emerged winners 57-56. We have now won three consecutive games and set a new African record. It was close but we were officially in the quarterfinals. No African team has made it that far both men and women's competitions at the World stage. The D'Tigresses were roaring with belief and a sense of determination to keep going after the dream.

Cecelia Okoye (center) for D'Tigress strikes a pose after the epic win against Greece to head into the quarterfinals. Photo Credit: FIBA

Everybody knows USA is the home of basketball (though the inventor was born in Canada and invented the sport in Springfield, MA at age 30). However, we were in the quarter finals against defending champions and arguably the best squad in the tournament. The quarter finals arrived without much ado and the rest they say is history. There were positives to take away from the loss and we were the first team to beat the USA in the first quarter in the tournament. Something worth holding on to. Something to build on with the exciting crop of young players who still have time to flourish and develop their talent whilst they represent Nigeria and the entire African continent as a whole. It also meant that we are finishing the competition as a Top 8 team and at least in 8th position. Our next set of games were for classification purposes and we played France and Canada losing 84-62 and 73-72 respectively. Final standings confirmation: 8th position and in the FIBA rankings moved from 34th at the start of the competition to 19th at the end. That is the biggest leap by far from any team on the FIBA ranking in 2018. In my opening paragraph of the article, I started with our loss against USA but despite that it was a win for us as a nation and as a continent in the tournament as a whole.

Official squad photo at the FIBA Women's World Cup in Tenerife, Spain. Photo Credit: FIBA

In closing, as backroom medical staff in competition outside your domain, you need to hope for the best and prepare for the worst when it comes to injuries and illness. However I and the team doctor didn't have reason to be flustered even when a need arose for additional medical support outside of our camp base. I cannot but mention and thank the dedication of the LOC and Chief Medical Officer Dr Pilar Cuevas and our team attaché Anna Portas who made the work seamless, ensuring they got out back 24/7. They were always on hand to respond with support with a smile on their faces and we will never forget that. Emotions were on a whirlwind ride of their own but in the end despite all odds, we came, we played and we made HISTORY! Dare to dream for your dreams are valid if you only believe. The entire backroom staff had a great working relationship and chemistry in general and this translated to output with the team. TEAM= Together Everyone Achieves More

What is next for this team you might ask? The quest to defend the AfroBasket Trophy in 2019, as well as a qualification spot for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. Long after Tenerife hosted a fabulous Women's World Cup and the tournament is over, the memories will linger and the world will continue to remember the epic run of the Nigerian Womens' team D'Tigress for many years to come.

Bakare Ummukulthoum contributes this piece from Johannesburg, South Africa where she is currently based as a doctoral student at Wits University. She was the team physiotherapist to the history-making Nigerian Women's Basketball Team at the FIBA Womens' World Cup in Tenerife, Spain 2018. She is an active IFSPT member and the secretary of the Nigerian Sports Physiotherapy Association as well as a member of the Medical and Scientific Commission of the Nigerian Olympic Committee.

APPLY TO BECOME A REGISTERED INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPIST

G ive your professional status a boost by registering as an International Sports Physical Therapist!

Members of approved countries - those with established national pathways - may apply to be recognized as a Registered International Sports Physical Therapist simply by purchasing a five-year registration certificate for 50 euros. These individuals are pre-approved. Your membership within your country's specialist pathway will be confirmed, and your certificate e-mailed to you for printing and display.

These countries include

Australia: Titled Sports Physiotherapist
Canada: SPC Credential Program
Denmark
Ireland: Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, Level 3 Accreditation in Sports Physiotherapy
Italy: Italian Sport Physical Therapist accredited - 3th level of certification through GISPT SPT pathway
New Zealand: Complete the Specialisation Pathway through the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. Must complete specialisation in the Sports Category.
Norway
Sweden - Sports Physiotherapy Specialization
The Netherlands
United Kingdom: Continuing Professional Development Level 3, Gold
United States: APTA Sports Certified Specialist

Information on registration and how to apply may be found at this link.

Interested in having your organization's pathway approved for qualification for Registered International Sports Physical Therapy? Contact Colin Paterson, Education Committee Chair.

Please note that once application is made, the IFSPT must gain approval from the home organization before certificates are created.

THIRD WORLD CONGRESS OF SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY: REGISTRATION OPEN!

Registration is now open for the Third World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy!

The Third World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy will be presented by the IFSPT and Sport Physiotherapy Canada October 4-5, 2019, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The IFSPT is excited to partner with our Canadian member organization on this biennial event!

Following the successes of the First World Congress (Bern) in 2015 and Second World Congress (Belfast) in 2017, the Third World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy promises to be another stimulating and educational congress.

The Congress will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Registration

Super Early Bird Rates are available until March 30, 2019. IFSPT members receive the same member rate as Sports Physiotherapy Canada members! Registration may be found here.

Hotel

The official hotel of the congress is the Pan Pacific Vancouver.

Suite 300-999, Canada Place Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B5, Canada

A direct link for special rates will be available soon.

Congress

The Scientific Committee, led by Jean-Francois Esculier, is comprised of Allison Ezzat, Chris Napier, and Anthony Schneiders, President of the IFSPT.

Confirmed speakers:

Dr. Clare Ardern PT, PhD
Professor Roald Bahr MD, PhD
Dr. Christian Barton PT, PhD
Dr. Keith Baar PhD
Dr. Lara Boyd PT, PhD
Dr. Johann Windt, PhD
Dr. Maria Constantinou PT, PhD, IFSPT Secretary
Dr. Ann Cools PT, PhD
Professor Kay Crossley PT, PhD
Dr. Sarah Haag PT, DPT, Women's Health Certified Specialist
Dr. Alex Hutchinson Journalist, PhD
Dr. Greg Lehman PT, MSc, DC
Dr. Karen Litzy PT, DPT
Dr. Kerry MacDonald
Dr. Bob McCormack MD
Dr. Luciana De Michelis Mendonca, PT, PhD, IFSPT Board Member
Dr. Ebonie Rio PT, PhD
Professor Ewa Roos PT, PhD
Dr. Emma K Stokes PT, PhD, MSc Mgmt
Dr. Anthony Schneiders PT, PhD, IFSPT President
Ms. Sarah Smith PT
Dr. Kristian Thorborg PT, PhD, IFSPT Vice President
Dr. Jane Thornton MD, PhD
Dr. Rod Whiteley PT, PhD

The IFSPT General Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 3 in conjunction with the Congress.

The program promises world class speakers and topics as we explore emerging evidence in high performance sport and their application to everyday clinical practice.

Program Overview

Abstracts

The Third World Congress of Sports Physical Therapy invites researchers, clinicians and trainees to submit their research for presentation. The scientific committee will judge abstracts based on scientific rigour, originality, clarity and clinical relevance.

The top 5 judged abstracts will present their research in a plenary session competition with questions from the editors-in-chief of 3 top clinical sports medicine journals. Prizes will be awarded for best-scoring abstracts.

Key dates:
March 1st 2019: Abstract submission begins
May 24th 2019: Abstract submission deadline
June 28th 2019: Notification of decision sent to authors

For Sponsors and Exhibitors

If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, the conference prospectus may be found here.

Information can be found at www.spc2019.ca. Tune into our social media with hashtag #spc2019 for news and program updates.

Watch for more information and be certain to save these important dates!