Nigeria Amputee Football team has appealed to the minister of Sports, Sunday Dare for special recognition. The country’s football team won silver medal at the 2019 Africa Amputee Nation’s Cup in Angola losing to host, Angola 2 goals to nothing after 17 years of no medal.
An integral part of the team told www.aclsports.com that the former Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Sports, Olusade Adesola received their trophy and are yet to retrieve it.
He said members of the silver winning team are seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as most of the players are motorcycle and tricycle riders.
He said, “I am appealing to the Honourable Minister Of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare to receive and recognise the squad that won silver for the country at 2019 Africa Amputee Nation’s Cup in Angola. After 17 years of trials, we were able to reach the final against all odds only to be defeated by the World Champion, Angola.
“Angola is not better than Nigeria but most of their players are motivated by their country and get recognition after performing well at international tournaments.
“After we return from the nation’s cup, we sought the audience of the Sports minister but the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Sports, Olusade Adesola received our trophy from us and up till now, our trophy is in Abuja. Some members of the squad have been asking questions but we keep getting assurances that nothing will happen to it”.
He said, “Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, we have been passing through hell. Most of the players are motorcycle and tricycle riders because we are neither employed by Federal nor state government; they resorted to this job in order to keep body and soul together.
The player revealed to www.aclsports.com that few players who have been representing the country at various tournaments reside in the National Stadium, Lagos due to the inability to secure houses.
“I can tell you for free that few players live in the National Stadium, Lagos with their family. A particular amputee player, his physically challenged wife and 4 children are staying there because there is nowhere they can secure funds.
