15th April, 2011
Confederation of Africa Deaf Sport, CADS, has awarded Nigeria the rights to host the Group A of Deaflympic Football Games Qualifiers slated for 4 September in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
The countries drawn in Group A are Algeria, Cote Divoire, Mali and host, Nigeria, while Kenya will host Group B of the Qualifiers in Nairobi slated for 4 October. In Group B are Egypt, Guinea, South Africa and host, Kenya.
Only one country in each group will qualify for the Deaflympic Games scheduled to hold in Greece in 2013.
Nigeria will also raise a female team that will confront South Africa in the Deaflympic Games Qualifiers.
Nigeria will first travel to Johannesburg to keep a date with South African ladies before the return leg will hold in Abuja a forthnight later.
The Secretary of the continental body, Nigeria-born administrator, John Yusuf, had informed the coach of Nigeria’s deaf football national team, Kamilu Banjo, to start grooming players ahead of the qualifiers.
Banjo told P.M.Sports that he can not raise a team without getting the financial support from Nigeria Football Federation NFF. He said the players are ready to play for their fatherland if there is enough motivation and encouragement from the government.
—Sunday Akintoye
