As financial crisis hits some sporting disciplines in the country, The Sierra Leone National Association of the Deaf (SLNAD) in partnerships with the Sierra Leone Deaf Football Association (SLDFA) are calling on government, business houses and others for financial aid, they have joined hands to partake in this year’s West Africa Deaf Football Competition in Ivory Coast.
Pa Alhaji Mohamed Rahman, President of SLNAD voiced to Africa24 sports that they are arranging to travel to Ivory Coast to participate in the 11th edition of the West Africa Deaf Football tournament, but due to certain economic circumstances, they are yet to finalize arrangements for the deaf delegation that will be traveling from Sierra Leone to Ivory Coast starting from the 14th to 27th August, 2023.
Pa Alhaji Mohamed Ramadan noted that, they have hosted the 7th edition of the West Africa Deaf Football Competition in 2019 although they were unfortunate to win the trophy.
He alleged that the Deaf Football has been neglected in Sierra Leone for the past eras, but with the aid of some of its members in overseas, they are able to address several issues, especially those that has to do with financial support, needed logistics, official documentations and other administrative arrangements.
“The Ministry of Sport is yet to support us and they have been so helpful to other sporting disciplines despite the current economic calamity in the country”, Pa Alhaji Mohamed Rahman affirmed.
However, Alhassan Bangura, Head of Media and Marketing, SLNAF is called on government, private institutions and even individual humanitarians to give a assisting hand so that the team will be able to participate in the West Africa Deaf Football Tournament and progress to the final.
In her reaction, the President of the Deaf Football Association, SLDFA, Madam Ramate Theresa Sesay, whispered that the association is completely registered with the Ministry of Sport through the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) and also a member of some international bodies as well.
Madam Sesay stated that the association was called Sierra Leone Deaf Sport Federation but, it has been recognized as SLDFA association which she is the president.
She applauded the technical staff, players and partners for supporting the team throughout this worrisome era.