Nairobi Amputee team seeks sponsorship for Arusha championship
The Nairobi County Amputee football team is seeking sponsorship in preparation for the World Disability Day scheduled for Saturday in Arusha, Tanzania.
Speaking yesterday at Nairobi City Stadium, head coach Abdalla ‘Viduka’ Otieno appealed to wellwishers to come on board.
“We are currently preparing for World Disability Day, though our preparations are not in top gear. My players are currently facing an array of challenges that are hindering our progress,” said Otieno who also added that he would like to build on last year’s success during the World Cup qualifiers.
Otieno’s charges defeated Egypt during the semi-finals of the World Cup qualifiers in 2020 in Arusha just to lose to a solitary goal against Morocco in the finals.
Economic hardship
The coach said it has been tough to build on that success as most of his players are experiencing economic hardship.
“Amputee football players need specialised equipment like crutches which are not affordable to most of them. We also lack enough balls, bibs and uniforms for training,” a disappointed Otieno said.
The organisers of the World Disability Day tournament have invited the Nairobi county amputee football team for the continental showpiece.
If they make it, the lads from Nairobi will compete against Zanzibar Combine, Sauti Para Sports Club from Dar Es Salaam and Butiama Fc from Arusha during the tournament.
Otieno also wants his side to participate more in friendly matches as he dreams of winning his first trophy with the amputees.
The coach, a former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier league who played for Re-Union FC and Kenya Pipeline is also eyeing the 2024 Olympics qualifications.
Nairobi County amputee football team trains on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the dilapidated Nairobi City Stadium artificial turf.
Determined, the footballers are now appealing for support to be able to achieve their dreams which hopefully, will start with the Arusha games.
