The National Amputee Football Association of Ghana (NAFAG) has made a passionate appeal for support as the team gearing up to participate in the 2024, Africa Amputee Football Cup Nations (AAFCON) to be staged in Egypt, Cairo.

In a press conference, held in Accra at the National Paralympic Committee Head Office, Mr. Mohammed Huzair, Secretary General (SG) said it was important for the team to part-take in this year’s competition as the defending champions.

He said the tournament serves as a qualification marked for the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup.

He said, that if the team is unable to participate in the AAFCON it means the team would not be going to the World Cup.

He said, “We need funds to carry out camping, transportation, and air ticket fares for players, operations, administration costs, including tickets to send supporters and management to the AAFCON from April 18-26, 2024.”

He said, “We are calling on the government, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Authority, Non-governmental Organisations, companies, co-operate world, and individuals to come and support us.”

He said the NAFAG has been neglected by the state like the other sporting disciplines, “just like other sporting disciplines amputee football has also received a high neglect by government, through to the cooperate world and the Ghanaian generality.”
“Our situation has been and continues to be very bad over the years, our budgetary requirements are usually neglected by the right people as a result our officials and players have to contribute to cater for activities, before, during, and after competitions.”

Mr. Stephen Richard Obeng, head Coach of the association (The Black Challenge) said it was important for the government to pay attention to Amputee Football as there were many amputee persons with a lot of talent and needed the support of the state to excel at top competitions.

He said, “To some of us, managing amputees is a ministry to a calling and if we don’t do it well God will not forgive us.”
“To pick someone on the street, train him to get a job is not easy but very important and helpful.”
Mr. Emmnuel Akpabli, Welfare Officer for the team appealed to the government to pay more attention to disabled persons, “we are all Ghanaians, I believe that the persons with disabilities need much attention when it comes to sports but it is the opposite here.”

“We are appealing to the government, Ghana Football Association that the balance of the Black Stars at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations should be given to us.”
Mr. Ali Jara Technical Director for the team said the team has been struggling from the beginning, “our team has suffered enough, and anytime we need support it takes the media to speak on our behalf why is that so?”
Reporter Kwame Kusi Hot fm