By Akeem Busari

 

Cerebral Palsy Football Association of Nigeria, was relaunched Sunday, at the National Headquarters of Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Surulere, Lagos, amidst fanfare and glamour.

Cerebral Palsy football, is another variant of association football formerly known as Seven-A-Side football and recognised as one the games during the Paralympics.

Initially launched in Nigeria in 2016, the Cerebral Palsy Football Association also called CPFA, has Mr. Jude Uwase as President and Rev. Samuel Ikpea, as 1st Vice-President; Ms. Deborah Okediadi is National Secretary, and Ms. Victoria Ogumola, as National Treasurer.

 

Cerebral Palsy is a health disorder caused by disfunction in motions or postures. And this is often caused by lack or shortage of oxygen during pregnancy or childbirth.

 

The well-attended event which held on a special day slated to celebrate World Cerebral Palsy Day, had a theme, 'Walk For Success', started with a walk from the venue on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere and on towards the National Stadium.

 

The second part had speakers urging the physically challenged members and the Cerebral Palsy footballers, not to give up on themselves, as they can achieve whatever they set their hearts at achieving.

 

Rev. Samuel Ikpea, who stood in for the unavoidably absent President Jude Uwase, revealed plans to make the CPFA bigger, better and more recognised, through a series of activities, which includes a planned Four Nation Cerebral Palsy Football Tournament, which would see the national Cerebral Palsy team fondly called 'Power Eagles' take on other countries, later in November, this year.

 

Ikpea also disclosed that  there are plans to host the African Nations Cup in 2025, ahead of its participation in the 2025 Cerebral Palsy World Cup.

 

Ikpea called on government, well-placed individuals and corporate bodies to support the CPFA, as it continues to give a lifeline and hope to these special breeds in Nigeria, through football.