The Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF) has urged state governments in the country to support amputee football as a way to engage physically challenged youths in the society.

The federation’s national coach, Gbenga Dosumu, told newsmen in Lagos that the support was essential to provide facilities and organise competitions to engage the physically challenged players.

The coach said that if the support was given it would boost awareness of the sport.

“The awareness will go a long way in giving the physically challenged footballers a sense of belonging as well as keeping them off the streets and encourage them,’’ he said.

According to him, promotion of the sport should be a collective effort which should begin from the states.

He also appealed to the local governments to assist in promoting amputee football.

“Creating more awareness of amputee soccer should be a collective effort, especially from the state level, from which talents can be identified at the grassroots,’’ he said.

Dosumu charged the states to support the development of amputee football by providing funds, crutches and other requirements to be used in competitions.

According to him, such competitions will assist in raising standard teams in the states and facilitate amputee football being included as a demonstration sport at the national sport festival.

“It is through such competitions, that talents are identified to form state teams, also creating a good platform for them to be considered at the sports festivals,’’ he said.

The coach, who regretted that the sport would not feature in the National Sports Festival in Lagos between November and December, appealed to the National Sports Commission to reconsider.