Physically Challenged Wins Best Midfielder Award

Chinaemerem Iheanacho, a physically challenged player in Holy Ghost College, Owerri, Imo, has put his school on the Nigerian soccer with his Best Midfielder award of the 2017 NNPC/Shell Cup Championship in Lagos.

Iheanacho, who has a deformed left hand, defied the challenge to thrill fans at the final 19th edition of the annual competition for secondary school boys on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in Lagos.

Holy Ghost College lost 0-2 to Henson Demonstration School, Benin at the competition where both schools are appearing for the first time.

Iheanacho, apparently happy, said he was pleased to have won the prestigious award in spite of his school losing in the final.

No fewer than 54,000 pupils from 2,750 schools competed for the coveted trophy from the regional to the national finals.

The tournament is sponsored by Shell Petroleum development Company (SPDC) in partnership with Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

“I’m happy I got this award; it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my teammates.

“Although we lost, and as painful as it is, this award is our consolation, we played well, we were not just lucky, the match officials poor officiating also helped to cost us victory,’’ he said.

Asked how his disability has affected him, he said it hasn’t disturbed him from pursuing his dream as a professional footballer.

“Honestly, I have never seen my hand as a problem, it hasn’t affected me negatively in any way, I don’t have any problem at all, and it’s not even an issue to me.

“I can do virtually everything my mates are doing, so, I don’t feel disabled because of my left hand, it could have been worse but I’m still making an impact.

“I understand that it won’t be easy because so many people will naturally make assumptions about my ability, but awards like this will make them to see me in another light,’’ Iheanacho said.