Nilson Pires, better known in sports circles as "Titico", has been a paralympic athlete since the age of seven in wheelchair racing and seated basketball, and has been a dancer with the Mon na Roda group since the age of nine.

Self-taught and a sports activist for inclusion, he realised that the lack of training options for people with disabilities in the city of Praia affects a large group of people who end up not having access to physical activity.

The Sport Accelerator Lab allowed him to structure his project, which is currently under construction, with the aim of being the first inclusive 100% gym for people with disabilities and the general public.

A final year student in Diplomacy and International Relations, "Titico" is also another member of the energetic team at the Association of Portuguese Language Olympic Committees - ACOLOP.