Foundations use walking football to promote movement, inclusion among people with parkinson’s

In Surulere, Lagos, hundreds of people living with Parkinson’s disease, their caregivers, and supporters gathered at the Eagle Club on Saturday, 8 November 2025, for the 3rd Annual Walking Football Tournament.

The event, organised by Parkinson’s Africa and the Adewunmi Desalu Parkinson’s Foundation (ADPF), brought together over 600 participants to highlight the importance of movement, awareness, and support for those affected by the condition.

Themed “A Celebration of Courage, Community, and Movement for Good,” the one-day event combined low-impact sport with education and advocacy. Walking football, a slower version of traditional football, has become a therapeutic activity for individuals with Parkinson’s, helping to improve mobility, coordination, and confidence.

“Walking football is not just a sport; it’s a celebration of resilience and the joy of staying active,” said Omotola Thomas, founder of Parkinson’s Africa. “Life with Parkinson’s can still be active, purposeful, and joyful.” Parkinson’s Africa runs awareness and education programmes in 10 African countries, including Nigeria, through funding, training, and local partnerships.
Dr Aderemi Desalu, chairman of the ADPF Advisory Board, said the tournament had grown from four teams in 2023 to 16 in 2025. “The aim is to create mobility for people living with Parkinson’s because movement is vital for health,” he explained. “Through events like this, we have helped many who didn’t even know what Parkinson’s was to seek care and live better lives.”

The ADPF provides free rehabilitative care and advocacy for people living with Parkinson’s in Nigeria. Beyond the matches, the event featured storytelling sessions and musical performances aimed at fostering connection and reducing stigma.

According to Morin Desalu, Chair of ADPF’s Board of Trustees, “Football mirrors life with Parkinson’s. Attackers represent symptoms like tremors or stiffness, while defenders represent good diet, exercise, and medication. Playing walking football teaches us how to build those defenders.”

Corporate teams, including LES Energy Services, participated in the tournament. Oge Dan-Gogo, Manager of Compliance and Risk Management at the company, said, “Life doesn’t end with diagnosis. This is about changing the narrative and standing with families who fight silent battles every day.”

Advocates at the event called for greater government and corporate support for Parkinson’s programmes. “Awareness remains low, and support must grow,” said caregiver Adeniran Adeonajobi.
British footballer and Parkinson’s advocate Joe Gregory, who travelled from England, said, “Football is a universal language. Here in Lagos, that language is giving people hope and strength.”
Both Parkinson’s Africa and ADPF reaffirmed their commitment to building a society where people with Parkinson’s can move freely, access care, and live without stigma.