By Kelvin Ololo
The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, has given final approval for the Cross River Deaf Football Team to represent the state at the ongoing 6th National Deaf Football Championship in Jos, Plateau State.
CrossRiverWatch gathered that the contingent comprising 20 players and 5 officials departed the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, in the early hours of Thursday, November 20, 2025, to join other competing teams in the tournament, which kicked off on Tuesday, November 18.
Addressing the squad before departure, the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Otu on Sports, Mr. Lawrence Eta, charged the players to show resilience, courage, and hard work. “This is the first time in the history of Cross River State that we are presenting a deaf football team. The Governor says he loves you, he is proud of you, and he will do even more when you return with the trophy,” he said.
In his response, Team Manager Mr. Ugbong Thomas expressed optimism about the team’s chances, thanking the Governor for prioritising para-sports under the People First Agenda. He also appreciated the Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Agnes Atsu, for providing the team with kits to proudly represent the state on the national stage.
The approval comes after several letters from the Cross River State Deaf Sports Association (CRSDSA) to relevant government offices including the Disability Commission, Chief of Staff, Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Commissioners for Social Welfare and Women Affairs seeking support for early travel, which initially yielded no response.
Faced with delays, the Association had threatened a peaceful protest, a move that drew the Governor’s attention and led to swift intervention.
However, an insider within the commission revealed to this reporter that para-sports in the state have often suffered neglect and inconsistent support, alleging that officials sometimes prefer sourcing athletes from outside the state while sidelining homegrown talents.
The source expressed hope that the Governor’s timely action in this instance signals a new era of fairness and commitment to para-athletes.