National Para-Powerlifting coach, Prince Are Feyisetan has scolded people who have dubbed members of the Nigerian amputee football team beggars because of their appeals for financial support from various sectors of the country, sports247.ng gathered.
The Special Eagles have gone virtually cap in hand to raise funds for their trip to Mexico for this year’s Amputee Football World Cup, but Feyisetan insists they are not beggars.
Feyisetan, who is also an executive board member of Nigeria Special Sports federation, said the amputee team would have liked to be known and recognised for their zeal to overcome their physical disadvantages.
However, in just over a week they should be representing the country at the 15th Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico, but Feyisetan says the team’s spirit and strength of will has been dampened by lack of funds.
That has resulted in them seeking the route of appeals to personalities, groups, bodies and individuals to help make their dreams come true, which Feyisetan says does not make them beggars.
In order to participate in Mexico, the players need to raise $68,000 to cover sundry expenses, flight tickets, accommodation, welfare and all manner of logistics.
Feyisetan, a former national powerlifter and co-founder of the amputee football team, said: “We don’t want to beg, but we’ve ended up begging people to come and support us.
“Because we know we have good people in Nigeria that can always come to our aid. So we’re waiting for them.”
“Anything disability sport, I am always involved because I just want our people to stay off the streets.
“I want people to see us as responsible people. We’ve been able to make Nigeria proud.”
