Angola’s amputee soccer team—the reigning Amputee World Cup champions—has inspired a nation still recovering from a 27-year war
In preparation for the tournament, Angola—which was also the runner-up in the 2014 Amputee World Cup and won the African Nations Cup for Amputee Football in 2019—conducted rigorous training sessions one to two times per day during the summer months. Players say the pressure to perform well in Instanbul is perhaps even greater with opposing teams gunning to dethrone them.
Winning that championship brought members of the team celebrity status in the west African nation. Upon their return to Angola from Mexico, they were greeted at the Luanda airport by hundreds of screaming fans wearing the red and black colors of the national flag. With gold medals draped around their necks, the players were paraded through town atop a large truck flanked by a police escort that halted traffic on busy city streets.
As the young nation, which only declared independence from Portugal in 1975, rebuilds and heals, the championship by the amputee team represents Angola’s potential on the world stage—and the ability of its people to overcome tragedy and achieve international success. “From 1997 to 2014, around 80 percent of the members on the Angolan national team were mine victims,” Baptista says, adding that most of those players have aged out of the team now as landmine injuries have diminished in the country.most heavily mined countries
“It was my mission to play soccer, though every time I entered a game, I was told I couldn’t play with crutches,” says Elias, 32. “This always made me cry to be excluded from physical activity.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Abuse in Women's Pro Soccer League Was Systemic, Report SaysAn independent investigation into the scandals that erupted in the National Women’s Soccer League found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the sport, impacting multiple teams, coaches and players.
Read more »
U.S. Soccer investigation into NWSL finds systemic evidence of emotional abuse and sexual misconductAn independent investigation into the scandals that erupted in the National Women’s Soccer League found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the sport, impacting multiple teams, coaches and players
Read more »
Which Teams Have Qualified for the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs? Bracket, Format, MoreThe postseason is almost here for Major League Soccer. Heres a look at what teams have qualified in the hunt for the 2022 title.
Read more »
New law drama 'Reasonable Doubt' now streaming on HuluA new show on Hulu was inspired by an attorney who gained fame first as part of the 'dream team' defending O.J. Simpson.
Read more »
New law drama 'Reasonable Doubt' now streaming on HuluA new show on Hulu was inspired by an attorney who gained fame first as part of the 'dream team' defending O.J. Simpson.
Read more »
Gov. Murphy’s soccer team ensnared in scathing report on NWSL abuse scandalNJ/NY Gotham FC, formerly known as Sky Blue FC, is co-owned by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Read more »