10th April, 2017
The President of Para-Soccer Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Misbahu Didi, on Sunday in Abuja said the Federation wants to upgrade its national league to a premier league.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the second edition of the National Para-Soccer League which started on Thursday is expected to end on April 18.(NAN)
Didi said the objective of the Federation upgrade was to make para-soccer a professional league.
“My dream is to make it a professional league like in football, where there will be home and away matches.
“We discovered new talents in the first edition last year in Kano, and it goes to show that there is a lot of development in the game now.
“Our objective now is to organise constant competitions which will last six months, like football’s premier league.
“We want to touch the life of people with disabilities, especially those who are affected by polio,” he said.
Didi then urged players in the competition to be focused and determined in what they are doing.
READ: Hosts of the 2nd edition of National Para soccer League announced
“Most of them don’t know the rules of the game, but we are here to teach them. So far there is no injury. We want to promote the image of people with disability in Nigeria.
“Some of them have their private businesses, while some are employed by their state where they receive a monthly salary as a para-soccer player.
“Some of them are bread winners of their family, but they don’t beg for food.
“But we need support from private corporations, philanthropies and lovers of para-soccer games,’’ he said.
NAN reports that competition had continued on Sunday in the league.
In the first match of the day, Kano state thrashed Plateau 6-0, while Kebbi walked over Osun.
In the third match, Nasarawa state beat Katsina state team 1-0, while in the last match Yobe defeated Kaduna state 3-0.
NAN reports that nine teams are taking part in the second edition of the National Para-Soccer League.
The participating teams are those of Kano state, Osun, Nasarawa state, Zamfara, Katsina state, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau and Yobe.