Amputee soccer team in Liberia asks for better government support

From Sophia Barbara Vah Ogunti (pictured), President of the Amputee Football Federation of Liberia (AFEL), writing in The Inquirer in Liberia:

The Amputee Football Federation of Liberia (AFFEL) has written the Liberian President with a call for an increment in its budget at the level of the national budget. According to a communication signed by the federation’s president, Madam S. Barbara V. Ogunti, amputee football brought pride and dignity to the Liberian Government by hosting and capturing an African Cup of Nations, which accordingly was held in honor of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

The federation recounts how the amputees represented Liberia for the first time at the Amputee World Cup which was held in Turkey in 2007. The amputees have asked President Sirleaf and Vice President Boakai to assist the body as they are in the preparatory stage ahead of the 2009 edition of the Amputee World Cup scheduled to take place in Brazil in November of this year. “We also extend many, many thanks to his Excellency Amb Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his continual support to the Amputees of Liberia. Amb. Boakai, had it not been your intervention the Amputees would not have made all their trips out of the country and would not have received the honor they are receiving today,” the communication further said.

“Madam President, Amb. Boakai, we are appealing to your government to help the Federation to restore pride and dignity to these children so that after playing the international games they do not come back on the street corners to beg for daily bread. The Amputee Football Federation of Liberia prays that God will give you and your able Vice President long life, good health, so that you can fulfill your dreams to the Liberian people and complete what you have started,” the communication averred.
“We Wish you a happy, happy 162nd Independent Anniversary, and pray that next year by this time the country will celebrate with the Amputee World Cup trophy,” they concluded.

Meanwhile, the amputees are undergoing intense training section ahead of their participation in the 2009 edition of the Amputee World Cup scheduled for November this year. See full text below: Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia. His Excellency Amb Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia; The Amputee Football Federation of Liberia (AFFEL) brings you greetings in the matchless name of Jesus Christ and wished you a beautiful happy Independence Day. The President, officials, and members of the Amputee Federation, extend their thanks and appreciation to you Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Amb Joseph Nyumah Boakai for the level of hard work, dedication and commitment to the Liberia people.

Madam President, only true Liberian who have love for this country will see the level of development that your government has achieved over the period of three years. It is your administration, Madam President, that Liberia is now place on the World Map of football through the effort of the Amputees of Liberia who became the first sporting federation in Liberia to win a Nations Cup and subsequently qualified for the World Cup. From Joseph J. Roberts to Charles Gyude Bryant Administration, Liberia have gone nowhere when it comes to soccer.

The Amputee Football Federation brought pride and dignity to your government when they hosted the African Cup of nations in your honor and capture the trophy. Madam President, the amputees represented Liberia for the first time the country history at the Amputee World Cup in 2007 in Turkey. The Amputees have also been invited to participate in the 2009 edition of the Amputee World Cup which event is slated for November 2009 in Brazil. Not only are we to travel and participate in the competition Madam President, we want to bring the trophy back to you.

The Amputee Football Federation of Liberia (AFFEL) also extend many, many thanks to his Excellency Amb Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his continual support to the Amputees of Liberia. Amb. Boakai, have it not been your intervention the Amputee would not have made all her trips out of the country and would not have received the honor they are receiving today. You have supported the Federation all through. Its is our prayer that the Government of Liberia increase the current allotment for Amputees in the national budget so as to help expand our programs, and to also help prepare the Amputee National Team for future national and international competitions.

Madam President, Amb. Boakai, we are appealing to your government to help the Federation to restore pride and dignity to these children, so that after playing the international games they do not come back on the street corners to beg for their daily bread. The Amputee Football Federation of Liberia pray that God will give you and your able Vice President long life, good health, so that you can fulfill you dreams to the Liberian people and complete what you have started. May God bless Liberian and save the state.