The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has criticized the national amputee soccer team, the Black Challenge, for visiting various personalities before reporting to the Ministry following their recent victory at the African championship.
The Black Challenge overcame a goal deficit to defeat Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations (AAFCON) in Egypt. This victory meant they defended the title they won in 2021 in Tanzania, making it back to back AFCON titles.
Since their victory, the team has paid courtesy calls on various personalities, including former president John Dramani Mahama, who donated $10,000 to the team.
When the team visited the Sports Ministry on Friday to present the trophy to the sector minister, Mustapha Ussif expressed disgust at their visits to other personalities first.
“Unlike last year when you came here directly, this year you started going from one place to another place without even rendering records to the government who sponsored you, and that cannot be tolerated,”Mustapha Ussif stated!
“I have to put it to you and not only you but any national team, if it is your personal or private club, that is fine. That is your club. As a national team, once you come, you should know that you’re representing the state.”
Consequently, the Minister has charged the President of the National Paralympic Committee to account for every penny received in donations to the team.
“We will communicate after you have presented all the statements and all that you have received to my office.”
