Sports Minister backs Ghana Amputee Football team’s World Cup ambition

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddie Adams, has pledged the government’s support for Ghana’s amputee football team as it works towards competing at the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.

The Minister said the team’s determination and resilience reflect the strength of Ghanaians and assured the players and their organisers that the government would consider supporting their campaign.

“Ghana’s strength lies in resilience and determination. I commend our amputee footballers and their organisers for their efforts. The government is committed to promoting inclusive sports, and we will carefully consider providing sponsorship to support their journey,” he said.

Mr Adams made the remarks when a delegation from the Ghana Amputee Football Club paid a courtesy call to brief him on the team’s preparations for the tournament, on Tuesday in Accra.

The delegation, led by the team’s coach and captain, appealed for government assistance, stressing that financial and logistical support was critical to enabling the players to represent Ghana on the international stage.

He said the players have built a reputation for resilience, talent and sportsmanship through their participation in regional competitions. Adding that competing at the World Cup would provide the players with valuable international exposure while also allowing Ghana to showcase its commitment to inclusive sports.

A representative of the team said the players had demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill but were currently facing resource constraints.

“Our players have shown exceptional dedication and skill in regional competitions, and participating in the World Cup would be a historic achievement for Ghana. However, we currently lack the necessary resources, and we are hopeful that the government will support us to turn this vision into reality,” the representative said.

The delegation also highlighted amputee football's wider impact, particularly its ability to encourage young people with disabilities to participate in sports and lead active lives.

They noted that the team’s progress over the years has inspired many Ghanaians with disabilities, and participation in the 2026 World Cup would boost the players’ morale and reinforce the message that disability should not be a barrier to sporting excellence.

The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup, organised by the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF), will be the 20th edition of the biennial competition. It is scheduled to take place in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico.

With preparations underway, the team is hoping to secure the support and resources needed to compete on the global stage and further raise the profile of amputee football in Ghana.