We’ve been denied the opportunity to meet President Akufo Addo – Amputee team captain

Richard Arthur Openti, the captain of Ghana’s Amputee Football Team has expressed deep disappointment over the team’s inability to meet President Nana Akufo-Addo and present their hard-earned trophies.

The Black Challenge clinched the African Amputee Football Cup of Nations (AAFCON) title in 2021 and successfully defended it this year in Egypt after a decisive victory over Morocco.

However, despite these significant achievements, the team has not been granted the opportunity to present either of their trophies to the President and take a memorable photo with him.

In an interview with Akoma FM, Openti revealed the team’s persistent but unsuccessful efforts to arrange a meeting with the President through the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Sports Authority.

The captain highlighted the emotional toll this neglect has taken on the players.

“I won’t say anything about what the Minister said, I will leave it to Ghanaians to judge. As disabled people, we don’t beg, we do our best with our condition. We use our own contributions to play for our nation. The first one we won, we were not given the opportunity to meet the President or present the trophy to him. We kept asking for an opportunity to present the trophy to the Minister and the President but we never got it until we met the Ex-President which prompted them to call us. This is sad because our colleagues from other countries are handsomely rewarded for winning tournaments but we go through this for our nation,” said Openti.

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Ghana Amputee football team facing further challenges

The captain also shed light on the logistical challenges the team faces, including the lack of a dedicated vehicle for their movements, forcing them to rely on public transportation for matches and training sessions. He emphasised the sense of neglect and sidelining the team feels, despite their success.

“We don’t have a car for our movements. We use trotro to attend matches. We feel very neglected. We shouldn’t be sidelined or ignored. We have won three trophies under President Nana Akufo-Addo, not even once have we been given the opportunity to even meet him and take a photo with him. Why are we treated this way?” Openti questioned.

The situation calls for a reevaluation of the support and recognition given to the Black Challenge, especially considering their impressive achievements on the continental stage.

Raphael Sarkodie| Akoma Sports|Ghana