The Ghana Amputee Football Association (GAFA) has appointed the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, as Life Patron of Amputee Football in the country.

The appointment follows efforts to project the sport and raise funds towards the forthcoming Amputee Football World Cup in Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico in November this year.

Speaking at a brief but impressive ceremony at the office of the Chief Imam, Rev Richard Nii Amartey Adesah, Chairman of the Ghana Amputee Association, disclosed that, the decision to confer the honour on the head of the Muslim community is in recognition of the “commitment you have shown over the years towards issues affecting Persons With Disability (PWDs), especially the Ghana Amputee Football Team, The Black Challenge”.

Rev. Adesah noted that, the Chief Imam’s commitment is “deepened by the manner you have promoted many Persons With Disability (PWDs) in various ways to explore their God-given talents and your humanitarian activities that have benefitted people from all walks of life”.

He expressed the hope that the appointment would not only help the national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, to participate in the forthcoming world cup but also make a significant impact and raise the image of Ghana higher.

Rev Adesah also appealed to prominent persons, institutions and other individuals to support the cause of the Black Challenge to win laurels for the nation and give hope to other Persons with Disability (PWDs).

The Chief Imam, Cheik Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, thanked the Association for the gesture and assured them of his continuous support towards their activities.

He urged them to forge ahead and to remember to commit all their activities to God, expressing optimism that the Black Challenge would lift the flag of Ghana high in Mexico.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Wisdom Hamenui, the Ghana Amputee Football Association Board and Alhaji Issa Monnie, all members of the Association, as well as Theodore Viwotor, General Secretary of the Association who is also the Deputy Media Relations Officer of the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF).