Coronavirus Pandemic
VICTOR Nwenwe, the National Coach of Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), has drawn the attention of stakeholders to the plight of amputee players, as hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic worsens.
Nwenwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos, that the amputee footballers were vulnerable members of the society and needed assistance to survive the economic effect of the lockdown.
He, however, applauded corporate organisations, individuals and Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) for their generosity and distribution of food items to people in communities to alleviate their hardship in the COVID-19 lockdown.
“This is a passionate appeal for assistance to kindhearted individuals, philanthropists, private, public and NGOs on the plight of our players that the COVID-19 lockdown has subjected to hardship.
“We have stopped training for more than two months now and keeping to all the coronavirus preventive measures because nobody wants to die but we equally need food to survive.
“While commending individuals, private, public and other organisations for donation of palliatives to the public, I want to plead that we are expecting them to reach out to the amputee footballers,” he said.
The NAFF head coach disclosed that he was in regular touch with the footballers through the WhatsApp platform, adding that they complained bitterly about the unpleasant situations.
According to him, the players consume more food since they are at home and have run out of cash and foodstuffs such as garri, rice, beans, spaghetti, provisions and other personal needs.
“The players are Lagos-based and we use the National Stadium, Surulere, for training but with the lockdown, WhatsApp platform have been helping us to reach one another on issues,” Nwenwe added.
He called for adequate arrangements to be put in place in the distribution of palliatives and those special considerations should be given to people living with physical disabilities. (NAN)
– May 15, 2020 @ 14:17 GMT |
Tags: Palliatives: National coach makes case for amputee footballers
