You Are Champions: Spanish Ambassador backs Black Challenge’s World Cup dream

Spain’s Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Ángel Lossada Torres-Quevedo, has delivered an inspiring message of solidarity to Ghana’s national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, affirming that their pursuit of World Cup glory carries a wider cause: advancing the rights, dignity and opportunities of persons with disabilities.

Visiting the team at the Mendiata Hotel in Accra ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico, the Ambassador met with 15 players and members of the technical team, offering encouragement and pledging his continuing support as a voice and partner.

His engagement brought a diplomatic dimension to Ghana’s preparations, reflecting how friendship between nations can find practical expression through sport, inclusion and respect for human dignity.

“For me, you are allies,” the Ambassador told the players.

He affirmed his solidarity with their journey, while acknowledging his allegiance to Spain should the two countries meet in a World Cup final. His central message, however, extended beyond sporting competition to the shared responsibility of securing equal rights.

“At the end of the day, sport is important, but the rights of persons with disabilities are more important. You are already very good, and I wish you all the best,” he said.

Describing the players as champions deserving of every support, the Ambassador encouraged them to count on him as an advocate and partner.

His words recognised athletes whose achievements have brought honour to Ghana and strengthened the visibility of African amputee football. They also placed an essential principle before the wider public: access to sport, opportunity and national recognition must be grounded in dignity and equal citizenship.

President of the Ghana Amputee Football Association, Foster Kwarteng, expressed appreciation for the Ambassador’s longstanding support for disability sport and his engagement with the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana.

“What you’ve done for the National Paralympic Committee and persons with disabilities, I personally cannot thank you enough. You’ve always opened your doors to us, and I thank you for that,” Kwarteng said.