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Report by Edward FRIMPONG
The National Amputee Football Team, the Black Challenge paid a courtesy call on the Youth and Sports Minister, Hon. Mustapha Ussif on Friday, June 14th, 2024 to make a presentation of the 2024 Amputee African Cup of Nations trophy, after annexing the trophy in Egypt.
In a brief to the Minister, the President of the National Paralympic Committee, Mr. Samson Deen said, “The Black Challenge represented Ghana in the 16-team African Amputee Football Cup of Nations tournament, which included Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Ghana, Egypt (the host), Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, and other nations.” The Black Challenge played all six games, winning the trophy without a defeat. They came from a goal down to beat Morocco 2-1 in the finals, securing the 2024 AAFCON title.
According to him, since the Sports Minister assumed office, he has shown keen interest in the welfare of Ghana’s Olympic team especially the disabilityfamily.
Welcoming the team and officials, on behalf of H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Minister congratulated the Amputee National Team for emerging as Champions in the Amputee Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
According to him, Government will continue to support Amputee national teams, “the entire nation is behind you because you represented our country Ghana and you lifted our flag high,” Mustapha Ussif told the black challenges.
He said the Black Challenge have not only secured their place in the annals of amputee football history, but also a highly anticipated spot at the 2026 World Amputee football cup in Panama.
However, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, registered his displeasure with the team, saying, “Unlike last year, when you came directly to my office, this year you went to various places without recourse to the government which sponsored you”. Emphasizing that the team belongs to the State and therefore must account for every amount received in donations. The Minister thus charged the President of the National Paralympic Committee to provide a detailed account of all donations received. “We will communicate after you have presented all the statements and receipts to my office”, he stressed.
Present at the meeting were Mr. William Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry, Abdul-Majeed Bawa, Deputy Director of the National Sports Authority, Mr. Eric Mesah-Bonsu, Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry and other officials.
Mr. Deen, pleaded for more support to enable the Amputee team to chalk more successes for the country in the tournaments ahead.
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