NAN-S-10
Amputees
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Dec. 6, 2016 (NAN) Monday Williams, a member of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF) national team has appealed to corporate organisations and individuals to support the development of the sport with kits.
Williams made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said the lack of good crutches and boots to train was hindering amputee players from attending training.
He stressed the need for players to own crutches, saying it was the only way they could adequately participate in training.
He said “due to our handicap situation, we need crutches to effectively carry out same functions able-bodied people do in playing football.
“We have identified ourselves with football and we need all the necessary assistance to enable us to enhance our skill and compete in international matches.”
The footballer said that the regular training held at the National Stadium, Lagos, had helped to bring players together.
Williams also urged the NAFF Board to help sustain the zeal of players by organising competitions that would provide platform for them to exhibit their skills.
He said “we will be happier if the Federation can organise competitions for us because it will help to unite us.”
Similarly, Feyisetan Are, the NAFF Technical Director also told NAN that some of the players had poor quality crutches.
Are, however, noted that more amputated athletes had indicated interest to engage in football as a career.
“It is important for players to have their personal crutches especially during training;
I sometimes support them but we need people to donate kits to us,’’ he said.
He expressed optimism that more amputated footballers would be encouraged to participate in the sport. (NAN)
MIL/ENN/HA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu