Martin Offiah Gets Into The Paralympic Spirit

Martin Offiah got into the paralympic spirit at the weekend as he lined up for an exhibition basketball game at the Manchester Arndale.

I caught up with the rugby legend to talk about the event and his excitement over the Olympic and Paralympic Games coming to London next year.

- You are in Manchester today playing a bit of basketball so can you tell me a little bit about the event.

We are here promoting the GB men’s and women’s Paralympic basketball team - it’s been a fantastic event.

They have got an event next week which is apparently the biggest Paralympic event outside of the Olympics and they are trying to create awareness for men’s and women’s basketball.

But I have had a fantastic day and got to play a little game.

- Did you win?

(laughs) No unfortunately we lost but it was great fun.

- As an ex-athlete yourself how excited are you about the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games coming to London?

Oh I’m very excited at having such a great event in our country and I’m now looking forward to seeing the basketball teams go having now had a taste of it.  I’m really looking forward to 2012

- Beijing put on a great show three years ago so what are you expecting from the Games - are London going to put on a great show?

Yeah it’s going to a great event and there are going to be some great athletes. I have played a little basketball in my time but when you are actually in a chair trying to shoot a ball you use a different set of muscles - I’m going to be aching tomorrow I can tell you that (laughs). The red team may have got the win but it was a very enjoyable game.

- For both the Olympic and Paralympic Games what do you hope the legacy of the games with be for children and getting them into sport?

I just think that the legacy is going to be a much healthier society - that’s what we are trying to promote and that’s why the government are putting in so much money and backing our Paralympic and able bodied athletes so that can inspire the country.

Obese children is a top topic at the moment and we are all keen to get them off their computers and into sport and I think these athletes today can not only inspire other kids and people who are in wheelchairs but able bodied athletes as well - some of the things that they have had to overcome to get to where they are now and perform on a world stage in their chosen sport is inspirational.

- How did you get into rugby yourself? And what advice would you give to other who want to follow in your footsteps?

I got into rugby through my school, I always find that in life there is not a blue print there are lots of advice and websites that people can Google to find out where their nearest club is should their school not participate in that sport.

If you have got a real desire to something in life then you will find a way to get it done - there’s enough advice or information out there; whether it be parents or children, but it’s just about having that desire.

There is plenty of funding from the government and from the lottery for people to get out there - no one should have the excuse that they don’t know where to go or what to do if you have got desire you will get out and do it.

It’s amazing, as I said, what some of these athletes have gone through and some of the stories that have been shared with me today - I have been playing basketball with guys who have played in Australia and Spain and I didn’t think that those things were possible.

Us able bodied athletes should take note of that and get out there and be fit and make sure our children are healthy.

- You are now working for Sky Sports on commentary so how are you finding rugby on the other side of the fence?

That’s what happens no matter how many great athletes that you have in the sport they are going to get old and you have to keep producing new ones. It’s all about investing in grass roots all across the board - not only for health but for success. We have seen in it in years go by you may have a successful team, whether it be at international lever or at club level, but have to continue to keep on bringing players through.

- Well that touches on my next question really you are still very much involved with the game so is English/British rugby league and union in a good place at the moment?

Yeah I think that they are. The emphasis is very much on youth and both governing bodies, the RFU and the IFL, are putting a lot of funding into grass roots - that includes bringing my own son, who is only four years old, started playing Rugby Union down in Ealing in West London.

They have a fantastic set up down there and I’m so impressed at how the Rugby Football Union (RFU) is backing Ealing and putting funds and awareness into the club - that’s what it is all about producing young talent at a grass level.

- Back to the Olympic and the Paralympic Games there are plenty of athletes and sports on show so are there any in particular that you are looking forward to?

Well I will definitely be looking forward to how the wheelchair basketball teams go now that I have been involved in this. Obviously everyone is looking at the blue ribbon event - the 100m- but I’m very keen on boxing. But there are plenty of sports that I will be wanting to take a look at either in person or on TV.

- Finally what's next for you?

Well it’s back to my job at Sky, but I do have the weekend off so I will be watching the Challenge Cup games to see how Warrington get on against Swinton and Wigan are playing Bradford. Then it’s back to Super League next week.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw