Ghana’s hope of participating in the Africa Deaf Football Championship appears bleak as the Ghana Deaf Football Association (GDFA) struggles to raise GH¢380,000 for the continental championship.

The tournament is slated for Nairobi, Kenya, from September 11 to 25, 2021 but Mr Daniel Awintima Akobis, the vice-chairman of the GDFA, told Daily Graphic that his outfit was yet to raise the needed funds to enable the deaf team to participate in the competition.

Consequences
He stated that missing the championship could have dire consequences for the nation.

“The consequence will even be greater as missing the championship will mean Ghana stands no chance of participating in the football event of the World Deaflympic Games to be staged in Brazil,” he explained.

Appeal for funds
He, therefore, appealed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) to come to the aid of the association to ensure its participation in the competition.

Mr Akobis said the team needed the intervention of the Ministry, the National Sports Authority (NSA), corporate bodies and individuals to enable the deaf team to represent Ghana at the event.

“The GDFA has financed the three-week camping of the team that also came with daily feeding and transportation for training sessions and trial matches,“ he noted.

He stressed that the support needed would cater for the team’s air tickets, accommodation, feeding and other logistics for the period of their stay in Kenya.

“We want to appeal to Ghanaians to come to our aid to make our deaf brothers happy. We believe that when the deaf footballers are given a decent opportunity, they can also make the nation proud, “ he said.

Currently, the 20 players who were invited by Coach Winfred Chartey Annan have played two trial matches, drawing 2-2 with Osu Monday Stars and beating Soccer Masters 4-2 at the Accra Stadium last Saturday.

According to Mr Ransford Lartey, the Communication Director, the team was expected to leave for Kenya on Thursday but financial constraints had stalled their plans.