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July 13, 2004

Deaf Sportsmen appeal for funds and recognition

From: GhanaWeb, Ghana - Jul 13, 2004

Accra, July 13, GNA - The Ghana Deaf Sports Federation (GDSF) has appealed to individuals, philanthropists and organisations to come to their aid towards the organisation of its sports festival and participation in international competitions.

In an appeal letter signed by Mr Jonathan Amuah, President of GDSF copied to the GNA Sports, it stated that the national soccer deaf team who wish to be known as the "Black Wonders" are bent on beating their counterparts from South Africa to qualify for the World Deaflympic Games in Australia next year.

The Black Wonders are scheduled to play South Africa on August 15 in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium with the second leg in two weeks time.

The statement said the team had demonstrated that they are capable of going places and will need the support of all to achieve their objectives.

Mr Amuah said that the Federation is to organise the Sixth National Deaf Sports Festival between 16-19 September at Sunyani to provide the deaf and people with hard hearing the opportunity to compete with their peers as well as other sports men and women.

The participants would participate in soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis and athletics.

Mr Amuah said the Federation has in its own small been able to organise the first, second, third and fourth annual National Deaf festivals at Takoradi in 1979, Kumasi in 1980, Cape Coast in 1981 and Tarkwa in 1984 but due to financial constraints they have not been able to continue the programme.

They have therefore appealed to organisations and companies to assist the Federation to achieve its programme of reaching out to its members.

The statement said it is the aim of the GDSF to create awareness through sporting activities, seek and promote welfare of deaf sports members and provide all round athletics and sporting activities in the regions and at the district level.

Source: GNA

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