Pius Asaba, a member of the Amputee Football Federation for Africa (AFFA) on Thursday said that the World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF) has suspended Nigeria from participating in its activities.

Asaba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF) the suspension was slammed because the country did not pay its annual affiliation fee since 2013.

He said that the sanction had denied the country’s national amputee football team from participating in the 2014 World Cup, scheduled to hold in Mexico from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10.

“We have been sanctioned by the world body, and the implication is that our national team will no longer be allowed participation in the World Cup, organised by WAFF.

“It is very painful because we are all aware of the implication of none or late payment of the dues, it’s so unfortunate that our country is now a victim this year.

‘Now we have to pay dearly for this. All the preparation and aspiration of our national team to feature at the world Cup has gone to the wind,” he said.

Asaba, also a former NAFF scribe, expressed sadness over the development.

He described it as a crack to the growth of amputee football in the country.

“This have unfavourable affect on players.

“This is a sport that has really kept some of our talented footballers off street and they are so committed in their training and preparations for this game.

“I am always impressed with what I see during their open camp training towards preparation for football fiesta, but they cannot accualise their dream of participating at the world cup,” he added.

He stressed the need for the NAFF board to always attend the annual congress organised by WAFF.

“It is at the congress that vital issues were thoroughly addressed and member federations get assistance from the world body,” he said.