Captain of Nigeria’s Amputee Football National Team, Sarafadeen Oyeleke, has urged the Federal Government to establish a national amputee football league and sustainable welfare programme to strengthen the sport and improve athletes’ living conditions.
Oyeleke made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, October 31, 2026, in Lagos, ahead of the 2026 World Amputee Football Cup in Mexico. He said Nigeria’s qualification for the tournament demonstrated the players’ determination but stressed that the sport required stronger structures beyond temporary support for international competitions.
The captain, who has represented Nigeria for more than 18 years and also serves as Athletes’ Representative of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), said many players struggled to balance their sporting careers with personal and family responsibilities because they lacked regular income. He called for a welfare package covering medical insurance, rehabilitation, mobility equipment, financial assistance, educational opportunities and career development.
Oyeleke identified Turkey as an example of a country that had developed amputee football through organised domestic competitions and sustained institutional investment. He said a national league would provide regular competition for players across the country, improve their skills and strengthen grassroots development. He also urged corporate organisations, sports authorities and media institutions to increase sponsorship, coverage and recognition of amputee football.
Proposing a National Amputee Football Development and Athletes’ Welfare Programme to President Bola Tinubu, Oyeleke said it could be implemented through the National Sports Commission in collaboration with NAFF and other stakeholders.
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