Para-soccer president urges support for physically challenged athletes

The President of Para-soccer Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Misbahu Didi has urged state Governments to support physically challenged athletes in this COVID-19 period.

The president told the Newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that athletes needed both material and financial assistance from their state governments to survive this difficult time.

He said the athletes also needed special care from the Federal Government and Ministry of Youth and Sports because of their peculiar cases.

“Para-soccer has reduced the number of physically challenged persons begging for alms on the street and they love the game.

“Whenever we have our national championship we have about 15 to 20 states participating in the competition.

“They are being supported by their state governments to feature in the competition and they have been placed on monthly salary.

“They are the bread winners of their family, some of them are fathers, they need to take care of their wives and children,“he said.

He said that the federation had not received any subvention from the ministry, adding that the private sector were also affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Didi congratulated the new management team of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (PLWDs).

“People with disabilities in all geo-political zones in the country will now have hope for a better future because there is ability in disability.

“I hope this will also work better for the development of sports and support the well-being of athletes with disabilities in the country.”