“We do not spend our lives begging for alms alone”. These were the words of Abubakar, one of the physically challenged or crippled beggars, who played the special match which was referred to as the National Parasoka, on the streets of Word Communication Ministries, WOCOM, at Onireke, Ibadan.

The National Parasoka match which was played between the hours of three and four pm today, involved the playing of an empty plastic can using the hands, while rolling the wheels.

According to Toyin, the referee who spoke with Ceoafrica, being a referee here was voluntary. He further said that the match was exclusive to crippled boys, involving a minimum of six players, with two opposing teams.

Despite challenges, the boys struggled to score goals to no avail. It was so challenging that one of them fell into a nearby gutter while dribbling yet, he never saw that as an obstacle, as he continued playing after he found his way out of the gutter.

The boys saw the National Parasoka as an enjoyable match which helped to fill a vacuum in them, knowing that they could not play the football which they equally enjoyed viewing. Besides, it gave them a sense of belonging in the society.

Although this match is not regularly played, but once in a while, these boys leave their usual life style of begging for alms to enjoy the National Parasoka.