The Nigeria Deaf Football Association (NDFA) is soliciting for sponsorship ahead of a West African Deaf Football Championship.

The championship is scheduled to run from November 20 to 30 in Lome, Togo.

Kamiludeen Banjo, the NDFA Technical Director told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that the federation intended to invite players for camping on Nov. 1, so as to begin early preparation toward the competition.

He pleaded for early response to the request of the federation to individuals and corporate bodies for the sponsorship.

“The authority is aware of this championship but we are going the extra mile in sourcing funds to enable us to start the camping early, because we don’t want a rush our training programmes.

“Already preparations have commenced but this is to remind individuals and organisations that we approached for assistance to rally the support in good time, before the November 1 date.”

He said that players were already warming up to resume camping.

“We really want to provide them with all necessary training before the championship.”

The director said 30 players would be invited to camp, saying that selection of players would based on individual performances.

Banjo said that only 20 players would make the final list of players for the event.

“We based invitation on previous performances; we are guided by the players’ performance at the 2013 Deaf Challenge Cup and 2014 Deaf Games that the country hosted.

“Players must prove their worth during the camping; their response to training and Games’ rules will guide us to select the final 20 for the competition.”

Banjo said the championship was organised by the West African Deaf Sports to promote deaf sports in the sub-region to foster unity. (NAN)

•Photo shows football field.