Sierra Leone: UN helps amputees participate in global sports event

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is joining with other partners to help a group of amputees from Sierra Leone to participate in a global football competition for those who have lost a limb.

The agency is contributing $21,000 to help Sierra Leone’s Single Leg Amputee Sports Club to compete in the World Amputee Football Championship being held next week in Turkey, as well as related activities.

In Freetown today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Executive Representative for Sierra Leone, Victor Angelo, hosted a reception for the team to show solidarity with the players.

The event showcased “the determination of the athletes to succeed despite their disabilities, and to enhance the image of Sierra Leone and its people in the international community,” the UN Integrated Office in the country (UNIOSIL) said in a news release.

The ceremony included performances by members of a group called Artists for Peace which worked to promote violence-free presidential and parliamentary elections in August and September.

“The Single Leg Amputees Sports Club members and the Artists for Peace have demonstrated that Sierra Leone is endowed with lots of talents; if they are given a chance, they will contribute significantly to a better Sierra Leone,” Mr. Angelo said.

Also helping to sponsor the team’s participation in the Turkey competition was FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association.