Amputee World Cup participation would have been uncertain for Black Challenge without Gold Fields sponsorship - Kurt Okraku

GFA President Kurt Okraku has admitted Ghana’s amputee national team faced uncertainty over participating in the 2026 Amputee World Cup before securing fresh sponsorship support.

His comments came as Gold Fields Ghana and the Ghana Football Association sealed a two-year, $5 million sponsorship deal on Friday at the company’s corporate office in Accra.

The partnership covers the Black Stars, Black Queens, the amputee national team, the Black Challenge, and the Women’s Premier League, marking the first time the agreement extends beyond the senior men’s team.

“Without this key investment, I do not know how and when our Black Challenge team will compete at this year’s World Cup,” Okraku said at the signing ceremony.

The sponsorship is expected to ease financial pressure on the GFA while ensuring adequate preparation and participation across all supported teams.

The Black Challenge earned their place at the global tournament after winning the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Ghana secured qualification with a 3–0 semi-final victory over Algeria before defeating Morocco 2–1 in the final to retain the title on May 27, 2024.