President of Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), Paul Maduakor has called for more support for the National Amputee Football team popularly known as ‘Special Eagles’.
Maduakor made this plea during an interaction session with journalist at the weekend, in Lagos, at the inaugural edition of Paddysco Sports Awards where he received award from Paddysco Sports Academy as ‘PS Sports Industry Supplier of the Year.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Sports Limited, who was full of praises and commended some philanthropists who supported the team, just as he appealed for further support from them, saying that going to Columbia for the world cup will require more funds than the trip to the Nations Cup.
Maduakor also showered encomium on the government and the Sports Minister for their support; while appreciating their efforts at helping the team.
” I must have to appreciate the government who has been very supportive. You know in government bureaucracy is always there and there is paucity of funds in almost all the Ministries but kudos must go to the Sports Minister, Senator John Enoh who always try his best to make sure that every sport is carried along.
The Special Eagles at the just concluded Nations Cup held in Egypt came fourth to book a qualification for the Amputee World Cup in 2026, which Maduakor reasons that exposing the players to a training tour to countries that play amputee football professionally will help improve their game and overall performance at the world cup.
”I want to say that the Special Eagles have continued to do the country proud. At the just concluded Nations Cup in Egypt, they did exceptionally well. They came 4th and picked a ticket for the 2026 World Cup, while the host country with a world Cup winning Coach with Turkey came 7th.
”Actually, we were unlucky not to lift the trophy but I know that with more exposure, the team will play better, said Maduakor the Sportswear merchant.
”The truth is that we’ve learnt our lessons and we thank God that we have ample time to prepare our players for the World Cup.
Right now, we have a lot on our card. By November 2-11, there will be a women World Cup in Columbia and we’re trying to see how we can prepare our female team for the World Cup.
”Part of our plan is to also look at the possibility of organising training tours
for these players to countries that play the game professionally. We want to do this because football is not only about training and playing amputee football locally but we want to give them the exposure needed to make a very good living playing the game”, he stressed.
