First ever deaf soccer gala kicks off Friday

The first ever deaf soccer gala tournament kicks off tomorrow morning at the Accra Sports Stadium.

At the official launch of the tournament last Wednesday at the Accra Stadium, 16 deaf squads entered into participation for the novelty competition which is also aimed at selecting players for the national team.

According to the president of the Ghana Deaf Football Association and Secretary General of the Ghana Deaf Sports Federation, Johnson Mahama, the competition would also be used to hunt for talents for the national team, the Black Wonder, ahead of their participation in an international deaf soccer tournament in Lome, Togo.

He delved into the format of tomorrow’s competition, saying each team would feature a full squad of 11 players each and 30 minutes of duration time would be played in each half.

“It is going to be exciting and thrilling as most people do not know how deaf soccer is played, it is totally different from normal soccer and the atmosphere is wonderful”.

A wonderfully crafted gold plated trophy was also displayed at the media interaction by sponsors of the event, JVG Group LTD and VOBSIS Solutions.

According to the country Director of the sponsors, Kingsley Asah, cash prizes, and other rewards would be given to distinguished players and talents on the day.

The deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority, in charge of technical, Saka Acquaye, lauded the competition and noted his outfit’s support for the competition.

He stated that Ghana would host the next All Africa Games and in furtherance to this, disability sports such as deaf football would feature in the competition.

The  president of the Ghana Paralympic Committee and national chairman of the Ghana Sports Federation for the disabled, Bishop Cornelius Adja Cofie, called for a fair and a just competition.