The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has activated US$500,000 in funding from its sponsorship deal with Gold Fields Ghana Limited to support the Black Challenge’s preparations for the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
The allocation covers two years under a US$5 million sponsorship package announced on May 8, 2026, which also supports the Black Stars, Black Queens and Women’s Premier League.
According to the GFA, the funding will help cover accommodation, feeding, air travel and allowances as Ghana targets its first world title in amputee football.
The World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF) World Cup will take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Colombia and Iraq. Angola won the 2018 tournament and finished runners-up in 2022.
The Black Challenge head into the competition as reigning African champions, having won the continental title in 2021 and 2024, as well as gold at the inaugural African Para Games in Accra in 2023. Their 2-1 victory over Morocco in the 2024 African championship secured qualification for the World Cup.
Head coach Stephen Richard Obeng has set his sights on the title, urging his players to approach every match as a final. Several members of the squad also compete in the Turkish amputee football league.
The team has received additional support from public figures ahead of the tournament. Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy donated GH¢100,000, while Food and Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku contributed GH¢50,000 and pledged poultry-farming packages for the eight Ghana-based players under the Nkoko Nkitinkiti programme.
Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah also donated GH¢10,000, water and soft drinks. Former Black Stars captain André Ayew visited the team’s training camp, made an undisclosed financial contribution and urged the players to return with the trophy.
The GFA is working with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Ghana Paralympic Committee to finalise travel arrangements and provide further support ahead of the tournament.
Story by: Christian Opoku McRich
