Nigeria Deaf Eagles threaten Abuja protest over unpaid entitlements, Sports Festival exclusion

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye
  
  
  
The Nigeria Deaf Football Association (NDFA) has announced plans for a peaceful protest in Abuja over what it describes as years of neglect, unpaid entitlements and the threat to Nigeria’s participation in major international Deaf football competitions.

The association said the protest, scheduled for October 19 to 22, 2026, will be directed towards the Presidential Villa and the National Assembly Complex, with the group seeking urgent intervention from the Federal Government.

According to the NDFA, members of the Nigeria Deaf Eagles are still owed allowances and bonuses from their participation at the 2023 World Deaf Football Championship in Malaysia, while debts relating to registration, accommodation and feeding allegedly remain outstanding to the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD).

The association also highlighted the national team’s success at the 2025 West African Deaf Football Championship in Abuja, where Nigeria claimed the title, but alleged that the players received no government allowances, bonuses or official recognition despite their achievements.

The NDFA further raised concerns over the exclusion of Deaf Sports from the compulsory sports programme for the 2026 National Sports Festival in Enugu, while Para Sports was included.

The association warned that the situation could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s international participation, with invitations received for the 14th West African Deaf Football Tournament, the Deaf African Football Cup of Nations in Ethiopia in November 2026 and the 2027 World Deaf Football Championship.

It said several players have expired international passports and had been relying on outstanding entitlements from 2023 to renew their documents and prepare for upcoming competitions.

The NDFA said its protest is intended to draw the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to what it described as the unequal treatment of Deaf athletes and to demand the payment of outstanding entitlements, reinstatement of Deaf Sports at the National Sports Festival, equal recognition and funding, as well as urgent support for Nigeria’s participation in forthcoming international competitions.

The association said the demonstration would be peaceful, orderly and law-abiding, with sign-language interpreters expected to be available.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade, said the NSC would not comment on the matter.

The NDFA, through its Secretary-General, Nehemiah Samuel Daret, called on the media, civil society organisations, human rights groups, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Nigeria Football Federation and other stakeholders to support its campaign for what it described as justice, equality and dignity for Deaf athletes.

The association maintained that Deaf athletes have continued to represent Nigeria and win trophies for the country, and are now demanding greater recognition and support from the authorities.
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