Umar Jimba, Assistant Coach, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Para-Soccer team, says the team is prepared to contest in the 2017 Para-soccer League Cup if sponsored by the FCT authority.
Jimba made the assertion on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
2017 National Para-soccer League, now in its second edition, is slated for March 19 to March 30 in Osun state.
The game which is developed in Nigeria, is played by persons with lower limb paralysis, and is aspiring for international acceptance as a sport for people with such physical challenge.
According to him, the team has been invited for the league and the players have been training while awaiting sponsorship from FCT Sports Directorate.
“We are invited for the league and we have forwarded the invitation to FCT Sports Directorate for sponsorship, but we have been training while waiting for the approval.
“We are ready to represent FCT, but our plan for the league will have to come from the FCT Sports Directorate,’’ Jimba said.
The coach added that the team had been winning medals in every competition it attended.
Jimba said, “para-soccer is a very interesting game to players and spectators.”
“Whenever there is any para-soccer game or even training, it draws a huge crowd.”
“If the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission is able to register the game as a sport for the National Sports Festival, para-soccer will enjoy global exposure.”
“Since it was developed, it had been helping the physically challenged people to be positively engaged. If it gets accepted as an international sport, it will add to Nigeria’s profile as originator of an international sport,” he said.
Jimba called on governments at all levels, corporate organisations and philanthropists to invest in the game so that they could reduce street begging among the physically challenged people.
Similarly, Shehu Bello, Assistant Captain, FCT Para-soccer said: “The game is helping us to be healthy, anytime I train, I feel very strong and healthy.”
“I urge those of us that are strong to engage in sports, while those that don’t have the strength should be encouraged to go to school or go into business,” he said.
Also, Bello Abdullahi, an ex-FCT Para-soccer player said: “I want FCT to give more support to our athletes. I also urge the Para-soccer Federation of Nigeria (PFN) to pay allowances to para-soccer players as such a gesture will motivate players.”
“During the days of Malam Nasir El-Rufai as the FCT Minister, and Sani Lulu as the Director of FCT Sports, we won gold medal at the Gateway Games in Abeaokuta, Ogun.”
“The minister then ensured that each player got a plot of land in Kuje. That was very encouraging,” he said.
Abdullahi urged the team to maintain the tempo by ensuring that they come out victorious in the coming national league.
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