Photo credit, BBC Sport
Image caption Christiana and Kayode Alabi head into the Paralympics as the top African players in their respective categories.
Article information
- Author, Emmanuel Akindubuwa
- Role, BBC Sport Africa
- Reporting from Lagos
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29 minutes ago
Paris is renowned for its association with love and romance, having inspired countless novels, films and songs over the years.
Now, as the city prepares to host the Paralympic Games, an African love story will shine in the French capital with the promise of a gold medal.
The protagonists who are about to compete for the medals are Christiana and Kayode Alabi, the power couple of Nigerian Paralympic table tennis.
Christiana won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and her husband won two gold medals at the African Para Table Tennis Championships last year.
Their journey together began in 2017, during the national trials for the Commonwealth Games, and Kayode fondly recalls their first meeting.
“It was her first time at the camp and she was very beautiful and calm,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
Christiana, however, was not immediately smitten.
“He came to see me, we talked, but I didn’t pay him much attention,” she said.
Despite initial hesitation and the distance between them – Christiana was based in Asaba, a seven-hour drive from Lagos where Kayode lived – the couple maintained their connection through phone calls.
In 2019, Christiana moved to Lagos to join Kayode and pursue her career.
“Things were difficult in Asaba and I was struggling to keep going,” said Christiana, who uses a wheelchair.
“Kayode encouraged me to join him so we could train together.
Their 2022 wedding has been the subject of external criticism, with some questioning the viability of their relationship.
“Our families supported us, but others considered it unusual for two disabled people to be together,” Christiana recalls.
Against all odds, their relationship blossomed both professionally and personally.
“Christiana has been my coach in many tournaments,” Kayode said.
“We listen to each other and work well together, which is why we are going to the Paralympics as a team.
Kayode will compete in the Class 6 men’s singles as well as the men’s and mixed doubles events, while Christiana will compete in the Class 5 women’s singles.
“We train together five times a week,” Christiana said.
“He passed on his knowledge of the game to me and we progressed both as athletes and as partners.
Bound by destiny, thriving through purpose
Photo Credit, Kayode & Christiana Alabi
Image caption The couple have a ping pong table in their living room, which they use to practice when they can’t attend training sessions.
The Alabis’ story is particularly compelling because of the obstacles they face in Nigeria.
Both were affected by polio as children, which means that Christiana uses a wheelchair while Kayode has lost the use of his right leg and needs support to walk.
“I was the only child with a disability in my community, which made life very difficult,” Christiana revealed.
“My disability made it difficult for me to make friends and I was very shy, rarely mixing with others.
Although Kayode had a similar experience, he found support from his friends.
“Some friends took turns carrying me on their backs,” he says.
“It was difficult to get transportation to school or training. I was always the last one to get on the bus because I would wait for the crowd to thin out first.”
As adults, the couple still finds their daily life marked by significant obstacles.
“The journey between our home and the training ground is extremely difficult,” Kayode says.
“It is not easy to find a bus that can accommodate my wife’s wheelchair.”
According to the Nigerian National Development Plan 2021-2025, over 96% of persons with disabilities in the country do not have access to assistive devices.
As for public infrastructure, including buildings, transport and roads, 98.5% of them remain inaccessible.
Despite these obstacles, Christiana finds comfort in their mutual support.
“We help each other.
“Kayode is very caring. If I need something and don’t want to go out, he takes care of it for me. Financially, we are doing well.”
A couple in search of medals
Image caption Christiana won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham under the name Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi.The couple have stepped up their training regime in their determination to excel at the Paralympics.
Their rigorous preparation includes weekly gymnastics sessions to develop strength and endurance.
In addition, the Alabis devote time at home to video analysis of their training sessions.
They encouraged each other, with Christiana being the first to secure her place at the Games at the African qualifying event in Egypt last September.
“It was my wife who qualified while I was still in the semi-finals,” Kayode recalls.
“It motivated me to work harder so that we could both qualify.
Christiana, reflecting on their shared success, expresses her gratitude and ambition.
“I’m glad we made it together,” she said.
“My goal is to reach the top, to bring honor to Nigeria, to my family and to my husband, who has coached me throughout my career.”
Their daily routine is a testament to their dedication.
Each morning begins with a two-hour training session. After a lunch break, they return for an additional session in the evening.
This disciplined schedule reflects their commitment to supporting each other and achieving their common goal: success.
As the Alabis finalise their preparations for Paris 2024, this Paralympic love story is set to inspire viewers in Nigeria and around the world.
2024-08-28 13:32:45