This was disclosed in a release by the Gambia Deaf Sport Association, GDSA. The body is in a race against time to prepare and send a team to the African Nations Cup for deaf footballers. The championship is slated for October in Accra, Ghana.
Deaf football is the only official international football The Gambia can play in the wake of the two-year suspension of the country by Caf.
Accordingly, GDSA has written to the Ministry of Youth and Sports urging it to support the team in their quest to participate in the Togo event. “The Confederation of African Deaf Sports, CADS, has made it clear its relations with The Gambia is not affected by the Caf decision and have written to MoYS inviting The Gambia to the Ghana championships,” said John Yusuf, secretary general of the GDSA.
Lamin M Ceesay, president of GDSA, appealed to the Gambia government and stakeholders in sports to support the Deaf Sports Association in this first great chance to showcase The Gambia in this category of sports.
“I am sure there are funds which are earmarked for the national football teams to engage in international football matches. If all the teams are suspended then it is fair enough that such funds be used to support the deaf sports team to this event,” he argued.
He called on MoYS to grant them permission and give them the funds to facilitate the trip.
]]>
