The Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, has Charged the Nigerian Deaf Football national team ( the Deaf Eagles ) to win the 12th edition of the West African Deaf Football Championship which kicked off on Saturday 12th of October 2024 in Lagos.
Senator Enoh gave the charge as he declared the event open at the famous Onikan Water front Stadium on Saturday.
Represented by Mrs Nkana Mbora, Director of Sports incharge of the Lagos liaison office of the Federal ministry of Sports Development (FMSD), the minister said that he’s in tune with the hosting, more so when it is obvious that such sector of our sports which accounts for Nigeria laurels at international competitions like the recently concluded Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in France can not be neglected.
The Minister said he is fully aware that Nigeria is going for her fifth win of the championship, having emerged champions four times in the past and wished them well.
As host country, the minister advised Team Nigeria to play fatherly role by ensuring that all the visiting teams feel at home.
West Africa Deaf Sports President, Ibrahim Amuda in his welcome address, thanked Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) for it financial support to WASU since 2010.
He also commended all the visiting teams from various countries – Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
Meanwhile, President of Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation(NDSF), Saka Sulaiman Dagbo, said the tournament will provide dual benefit to Team Nigeria, as they prepared for the 2nd Africa Deaf Football Championship in Morocco in November and the 2025 Deaflympic Competition.
His submission was collaborated by Vice President of NDSF, Comrade Ige Jenyo Olawale. The Deaflympic championship will hold in Tokyo Japan.
