‘That cannot be tolerated’ – Sports Minister slams Amputee team for late visitation

Youth and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has expressed his displeasure with the national amputee soccer team, the Black Challenge, for visiting various personalities including ex-President John Mahama before paying a courtesy call to the Ministry following their victory at the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations (AAFCON).

The Black Challenge clinched the title by coming from behind to defeat Morocco 2-1 in the final held in Egypt last month.

Since their triumph, the team has made courtesy calls to several personalities, including former president John Dramani Mahama, who contributed $10,000 to support them.

However, during their visit to the Sports Ministry on Friday to present their trophy, Minister Ussif criticised their actions. He emphasised that the team’s decision to visit others before the Ministry, which sponsored their participation, was unacceptable.

“That cannot be tolerated,” Ussif stated firmly. “Unlike last year when you came here directly, this year you started going from one place to another without even reporting to the government that sponsored you, and that cannot be tolerated.”

The Minister underscored the importance of national teams recognising their representation of the state. “As a national team, once you come, you should know that you’re representing the state,” he asserted.

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Furthermore, Ussif instructed the President of the National Paralympic Committee to provide a detailed account of all donations received by the team.

“We will communicate after you have presented all the statements and all that you have received to my office,” the Minister concluded.