The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has donated GH¢50,000 to Ghana’s national amputee football team to support its preparations for an upcoming tournament.

The donation was announced by the sector minister during a visit to the team, accompanied by his deputy, John Dumelo, the ministry’s chief director and budget officer.

The minister said the gesture was intended to motivate the players ahead of the competition, assuring them of the country’s support as they prepare to represent Ghana on the international stage.

“We are here to encourage and motivate you that the sky is the limit. You are stronger than you know, and you can go out there and make Ghana and everybody in this country proud,” he said.

He added that the team needed both moral and financial support as it prepared for the tournament, noting that the players would carry the nation’s hopes and flag.

Beyond the cash donation, the ministry has also promised support for eight locally based members of the team through a proposed poultry farming initiative aimed at providing them with a source of livelihood after the competition.

According to the minister, the ministry is putting together a special package that will provide the players with battery cages, layer chickens, poultry feed and technical expertise to help them establish poultry farms.

He urged the players to contact the ministry upon their return from the tournament to facilitate the programme, indicating that Deputy Minister John Dumelo would coordinate the engagement.

The minister said the initiative formed part of efforts to help the players build sustainable livelihoods alongside their sporting careers.

The team reportedly comprises eight locally based players and seven others based in Italy and Turkey.

The ministry’s intervention is expected to provide financial encouragement ahead of the tournament while opening up an opportunity for the locally based players to venture into poultry farming after their sporting commitments.