With barely a week to commencement of the first ever Africa Deaf Football Championship, Kenya 2021, Team Nigeria has resumed training in Lagos.
Accordingly, the Nigeria Deaf Football Association and Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation have once again appealed to Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare to release funds for flight tickets and general preparations.
The championship is scheduled to hold from September 11 to 25, 2021. It will also serve as qualifiers for the World Deaflympics.
Chairman of NDSF, Hon. Kabiru Umaru made the appeal in an interview with Inclusive News Network. In the interview, Umaru drew the minister’s attention to the situation in the Deaf Football team.
Umaru said early preparation is very important if Nigeria is to have better chance in the competition.
Thirty players have been invited to camp. However only twenty-three will make the final list. Sadly, the team have yet to receive support from the sports ministry.
Umaru said the organization had to solicit for supports from the general public and some other government agencies. They even had to seek accommodation in a private school where they are currently training.
Asked if any progress has been made on release of funds, Umaru says regular visits to the office of permanent secretary to the ministry has proved unfruitful in the secretary’s absence.
Kabiru stressed that since the Deaf Eagles are number one in West Africa, second best in Africa and rank tenth in the world, not being among the best in the competition will be a national embarrassment.
He urged Nigerians to join in appealing to the ministry to release the needed funds for early preparation. He added that the group will have no choice than go on a peaceful protest if nothing is done.
Among the 30 players invited to camp are; Captain Adegoke Adeola, Olatunji Samson, Joe, Kehinde Azeez, Uzoma Victor, Bulus Emmanuel, Yakubu Alhmadu, Amusa Sodiq, Ishode Nelson, Bello Shuaibu, Badmus Ismail, Ezeama Chukwudi, Uchechukwu Chinonye, Sulaiman Adamu, Jonah Charles Junior, El Saleh Yau, Adamu Abdulahi Jaji, Ikechukwu Benjamin, Felix Ojima Damian, Akorede Olurinde, Okey Okoroji, Mohammed Abubakar, Doki Abubakar, Dahiru Muhammad, Ojo Ideamen, Salaudeen Saleh, Oluwafemi Solomon, Christopher Bitrus, Yusuf Hamsu, Umar Nosiru, Mayhaidu Haladu.
inclusivenews.com.ng