The national deaf football team, the Black Wonders, are in dire need for financial support orforget about their participation at the upcoming Africa Deaf Football Championship to commence in Kenya this weekend.
With less than a week to the start of the competition, the Ghana Deaf Football Association (GDFA), managers of the team, have been unable to raise the money needed for the competition.
Speaking to the Times Sports on Saturday, the Vice President of the GDFA, Mr. Daniel AwintimaAkobissaid the GDFA needs to raise an amount of GH¢380,000.00 to participate in the continental championship.
The consequence will even be greater as missing the championship would mean Ghana stands no chance of participating in the football event of the World Deaflympic Games to be staged in Brazil.
Consequently, Mr. Akobis has asked for an intervention from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS), the National Sports Authority (NSA), individuals and corporate sector to enable the deaf men to get the needed exposure and also the opportunity to represent Ghana at the platform.
‘The GDFA has financed the three-week camping of the team that also came with daily feeding and transportation around for training sessions and trial matches.’
‘The support we need now will take care of the team’s air tickets, accommodation, feeding and other logistics for the period the team will stay in Kenya.’
‘We want to appeal to Ghanaians to come to our aid to make our deaf brothers happy. We believe that when the deaf footballers are given a decent opportunity, they can also make the nation proud.’
At the moment, 20 players have been invited by the technical team led by Head Coach, Winfred Chartey Annan and have engaged in two trial matches – drawing 2-2 with Osu Monday stars and a 4-2 win over Soccer Masters at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Mr.Ransford Lartey, Communication Director for the team said the team is expected to leave for Kenya on September 9 for the championship but the situation has put them in a very difficult situation but hopes that companies and individuals would come to their aid.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
