Coach Urges Support For Deaf Football

The national deaf football team coach, Kamiludeen Oladimeji, has in Lagos solicited support from governments and corporate bodies for the sport to be promoted in the country.

Oladimeji told newsmen that such support would enable the body to organise regular competitions for players with a view to preparing them for international engagements.

“One of the major challenges of 2013 was funding. We did not get enough support to roll out competitions that were expected to keep the players engaged.

“If governments at all levels and private organisations can sponsor some of our programmes this year, it will go a long way to improve the skills of the players,’’ he said.

Oladimeji said that in spite of the challenges faced by the body in 2013, the national team participated in some international competitions.

According to him, the national team is now ranked 10th in the world after participating in the 2013 Deaflympic Games in Sofia, Bulgaria.

“Even with the challenges we encountered last year, the team was able to win the 4th West Africa Deaf Football competition in the Republic of Benin.

“We also participated in the Deaflympics for the first time,’’ he told newsmen.

The coach said the team would commence its preparation in February for the Africa Deaf Football Championship which will take place in Cote d’Ivoire in August.

He said that it was only through early preparation that the team could excel at the championship.