The Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi together with the President elect for the Africa Paralympic Committee, Mr. Sampson Deen on behalf of His Excellency, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo and the Minister for Youth, Hon. Mustapha Ussif earlier today welcomed the Ghana Amputee Football Team at the Kotoka International Airport.
The Amputee Football team were in Tanzania for the African Amputee Football Cup of Nations and excelled in the tournament. Prof. Peter Twumasi commended them for such great achievement and for representing Ghana well since it’s first of its kind for the Amputee Football Association to have won such a tournament. He stated that, Ghanaians are so thrilled and poised to celebrate their achievement, hence their presence to welcome them at the Airport. He also admitted that, though there were some challenges with regards to their leadership and among others, the trophy is a testimony of great things to happen and strongly believes the Paralympic sports are ready to resolve all matters and to take up its rightful position.
President of the Africa Paralympic Committee, Mr. Sampson Deen also in his address congratulated the team and explained that, he wants this opportunity and achievement to be used to clean the house so there can be a serene environment in the Paralympic movement. He further stated that, Ghana should be proud that the headquarters of the movement of the African Paralympic sports resides here. He also mentioned that, with him as the President, he will do all he can in his capacity to make sure that they have the best of sports here in Ghana.The
Captain of the team, Richard Opentil together with the coach apologized to Ghanaians and the various stakeholders for not informing them before their departure for the tournament in Tanzania. Though it was a dicey decision they took looking at the challenges back home, their motive was to bring peace back home. Their victory has earned them a qualification for the world cup in Turkey come 2022.
They pleaded that moving forward, there should be peace in the entire disability sports fraternity and also help in making the local league a lucrative one so they can unearth a lots of talents to join the National team and form a formidable team to take the world on. They again pleaded with the President and the various stakeholders to assist them to commence with their tournament and in doing that, they are ever ready to bring on board the experience they have gained to lift high the flag of Ghana.
Also present was the Deputy Director General (Technical) for NSA, Mr. Kwame Amponfi Jnr.
Story by Sharon Odoi
NSA-PR
08/12/2021