The President of Para-Soccer Federation of Nigeria, Misbahu Didi, says 16 states would be participating in the ninth edition of the 2021 National Para soccer championship.

Didi made the statement on Tuesday, in Abuja, that the Federation had send letters of invitation to all the 36 states and the FCT.

He said this was the only championship that the Federation had been organising constantly without any interference.

“We have been organising the national championship for nine years now. This is the only championship we do every year. Some of the states have given us assurance that they will participate in this year’s championship,” he said

He said Rotate Club had been the only faithful sponsor of our national championship since the beginning of the championship.

The president, who had identified funding as the major problem of the federation, urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to support it’s various activities.

“This has been one of the obstacles slowing down the federation’s activities, and that is why we need the support of NGOs across the country,” he said

Didi insisted that the federation really needed support from NGOs, philanthropists and other sports lovers, as they yearned to have more competitions.

“We need to organise more competitions to engage players, because most of them are the bread winners of their families, even with their disability status, he said.

NAN reports that the 9th edition of the National Para-soccer has been scheduled to hold from Oct. 19 to Oct. 24 at the old parade ground in Abuja. (NAN)