History of the Game
History of Wheelchair Basketball Globally
1944 (UK)
Dr. Ludwig Guttmann at Stoke Mandeville Hospital introduces sports, including basketball, as rehabilitation for WWII veterans with spinal cord injuries.
1946 (USA)
Wheelchair basketball formally begins among injured war veterans in the U.S.
1955
1960 (Rome)
Wheelchair basketball becomes one of the first sports featured in the inaugural Paralympic Games.
1973
he International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is founded to govern the sport globally.
Today – Played in over 100 countries worldwide, with professional leagues,
men’s and women’s tournaments, youth programs, and the new 3×3 format.
History of Wheelchair Basketball in Egypt
1980s
- Wheelchair basketball first appeared in Egypt in the 1980s, introduced through rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities.
- The sport steadily developed within clubs and rehabilitation centers, gaining recognition across Cairo and other governorates.
15 May 2022
the first Development Committee for Wheelchair Basketball was formed under the umbrella of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee, marking the first official step towards organizing the sport.
12 August 2023
the official meeting to establish the Egyptian Wheelchair Basketball Federation was held.
29 January 2024
the Federation was legally announced as an independent entity, dedicated to governing and developing the sport nationwide.
Shortly after, Egypt became a member of the African Wheelchair Basketball Federation, integrating into the continental structure.
May 2025
Today
Egypt stands as a regional and international competitor, highlighted by its historic first participation in the IWBF 3×3 World Open Championship 2025 in South Africa
