President Solicits Support For Deaf Sports

The Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation has called on the private sector and philanthropists to invest in its activities to develop potential deaf sports athletes.

The Federation’s President, Usman Nahuche made the call in an interview with  newsmen on the state of Nigerian sports and performance of athletes.

He said that the National Sports Commission (NSC) had not given sports the priority attention it needed to develop in the country, so that it could compare favourably with the situation in western countries.

According to him, the federation has many qualification matches for international championships but lacked the finances for the programmes.

“We have so many programmes lined up here, we plan for the Deaflympic Games in 2013. And then we have the World Deaf Championship for the men football in 2012.

“Right now, we have qualifying matches in August for the deaf women football, which we are supposed to go to South Africa for, while they will be here for the return leg, but we lack funds,’’ he said.

Nahuche said that the NSC had always complained of not having money whenever the federation approached it for support to participate in major events.

He said that the deaf sports athletes took part in 23 games, including football, athletics, weightlifting, hockey, tennis and table tennis, adding that they needed money to sustain their efforts.

“What we want to tell Nigerians is that the deaf people can perform better than normal people.

“So, we want Nigerians to come and support us to be able to win gold medals at the Deaflympics 2013.

“We are calling on them to come and share with us and let us feel the sense of belonging. Let the deaf be part of you like brothers and sisters, like sons and parents,’’ he said.

Nahuche disclosed that the federation was planning its congress between November and December and would also want to attend the congress of the International Committee for Deaf Sports.

He, however, lamented that they might not attend the events unless they secured sponsors.