Mansour Al-Nakib: A Pioneering Journey in Wheelchair Basketball
Mansour Al-Nakib, 22, hails from Dubai and has become a standout player for the Khurfan club for people with disabilities and the UAE national wheelchair basketball team.
From a young age, he loved basketball, but cerebral palsy posed significant hurdles. Inspired by his brothers and father, he began attending Khurfan’s training sessions but was initially denied official team membership. His persistence caught the eye of coach Khaled Abdelkader Abda and assistant Yassin Naqour.
Under their guidance he quickly honed his skills and, at 16, joined the UAE national squad, becoming its youngest member. From 2021 to 2024 his club won four consecutive league titles and placed third at the West Asian Championship. In 2024 he was named the tournament’s best player.
Mansour also proudly carried the UAE flag at the opening of the “Dubai 2025” Asian Para Games and received an offer to play for a French club, which he declined to stay in Dubai.
In an interview he said:
"Life does not stop at challenges, and sport is a real weapon to ease suffering."
He called for job opportunities to ensure stability for himself and his family and thanked the club, Dr. Luay Alaa, and his coaches for their support.
