The Minister for Youth and Sports, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed has received players and executives of the Deaf Football Association, the Black Wonders at his office in Accra.
The Deaf Football Association was at the Ministry to present the Cup and Trophy the team won at the 5th edition of the West African Death Football (WADF) championship in Togo to the Minister.
Briefing the Minister, the President of the Death Football Association, Mr. Johnson Mahama, said the Black Wonders represented Ghana in the 8 Nations ECOWAS tournament involving Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Togo the host country.
Mr. Johnson Mahama told the Minister the Black Wonders beat Nigeria 3-1 in both the opening and the final matches at the group stage .He said the players remained focused in spite of some initial difficulties before the tournament and fought on to achieve the ultimate and called on the Minister to support them with funding.
The President made an appeal to Dr. Mustapha Ahmed to facilitate a meeting between the team and His Excellency President John Mahama to enable them present their Cup to him.
Welcoming the team and officials, Dr Mustapha Ahmed said he was excited to receive them and very happy for them for achieving such a great feat for the country. He said it was his desire and that of the Ministry to give an opportunity to all to be able to express themselves in various disciplines in sports in which God has given them talents.
He said the Ministry has severe challenges with funding and was therefore exploring the possibility of avenues for sponsorship to cover as many federations as possible. He urged them to associate closely with the Ghana Football Association so as to benefit from some of their sponsorship deals.
“What we intend doing going into 2016 is to streamline all the sponsorship packages that we have for sports so that we can set aside a reasonable amount to other federations.”He said.
He further advised them to furnish the Ministry with their programme of activities and budget for 2016 to see know which could be supported.
The Minister made it clear that government alone could not fund sports and it was very necessary for corporate Ghana to support.
Dr.Mustapha Ahmed promised to include them in All Africa Games medalists to meet with His Excellency President, John Mahama.
Present at the meeting were Mr. Victor Xola Senaya, Chief Director of the Ministry, Alhaji Rex Sumani, Director F&A ,Saka Acquaye, Deputy Director General, National Sports Authority and other officials.