The National President of the National Paralympic Committee, Samson Deen, has bemoaned government’s neglect of the amputee soccer team despite their feat in the sport.
The Black Challenge came from a goal down on Monday night to beat Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations (AAFCON) held in Cairo, Egypt.
It was a successful defence of a title the team won in Tanzania a couple of years ago.
Speaking on Onua TV‘s Maakye Sports on Tuesday, May 28, a day after the historic victory, Samson Deen, who also doubles as the President of the African Paralympic Committee, was concerned the players have been neglected for far too long by government.
“Government has not given them anything, not even a dollar,” he disclosed on the flagship sports show.
He said the feat chalked by the team has been solely due to self-motivation.
He noted that right from Day 1, he had told the players not to give up and that “we should be determined and not desperate”.
For him, one loses focus when desperate but when determined they achieve whatever they set for themselves.
He narrated some of the ordeals of the team, saying it has been a “hassle” for most of them.
Samson Deen, therefore, singled out the players for gratitude for the feat.
“I give thanks to the players. They have done really well and have brought glory to all Ghanaians.”
Ghana not only defended their title, but also booked a place at the Amputee Football World Cup to be held in 2026.
