My appointment was based on "vast experience" -Butler

Hockey- military hockey team subdued

Soccer-Arsenals pip Aduana by a lone goal

Accra (Greater Accra) 28 April ’99

Nana Sam Brew Butler, Co-chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the last Africa Under-20 soccer tournament in Ghana, said on Monday: "my appointment was based on my vast experience".

He recalled that during his appointment, the Minister of Youth and Sports said "the State had invested so much in you as former chairman of the Ghana Football Association and I can't allow this to go down the drain".

Nana Butler was reacting to a question before the Tagoe committee in Accra on Monday as to whether his appointment had any connection with his being the Director of Arab Contractors.

He said even before his appointment, he had discussed his position though unofficially, with some members of the ministry, adding that "my association with Arab Contractors was well known".

Asked whether the Minister knew his position in Arab Contractors before the award of the original contract, he said, the minister knew because he had met him at a meeting between the firm and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Witness said the contract was awarded in October 1997 while the LOC was formed in February 1998, "so definitely, the minister knew my position before my appointment but as I said earlier, it was due to my experience".

On the source of funding of the LOC, he said, he provided a seed money of one million cedis. Later, the government released two billion cedis to the LOC, which was increased as time went on.

On the provision of seats, witness said Arab Contractors short-listed four foreign companies including Compopraha, which later won the bid.

The quotations for the 36,200 plastic seats from the companies are as follows:

Kam International- 6.626 billion cedis, Restall- 5.82 billion cedis,

Messrs Johnson/Figueras- 2.167 billion cedis and Compopraha 1.732 billion cedis.

Nana Butler added that apart from the price, Compopraha through its local representative, RECOK Investment, pre-financed the initial, 20 per cent down payment and "even went ahead to ship a container load of the seats when it had not received a dime".

Sitting continues.

GRi../

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 28 April ’99

Sunyani Awosent hockey club routed third Battalion of Infantry (3BN) of Sunyani hockey team 3-0 in a special friendly hockey match played at the 3BN hockey pitch, Sunyani on Saturday.

Half time score was 2-0 with the current national schools and colleges'

best hockey player, Kwadwo Kyere and James Sefah, scoring the goals.

The Awosent boys maintained the pressure on their opponents and could have ended in a cricket score but for some unknown reasons, they decided to play it safe with their army opponents.

The soldiers who played without two of their top players - Forson and Brosina -- resumed the second half with renewed vigour with Charles Cobbina, performing well in mid-field.

But up front their attackers led by Yeboah, could not score due to excellent goalkeeping by William Boahen.

The soldiers' efforts for at least a consolation goal was dampened when in the 85th minute, Sam Sobo scored his side's third goal to seal the doom of the soldiers.

GRi../

Berekum (Brong Ahafo) 28^th April ’99

Berekum Great Arsenals maintained their winning spree when they beat visiting Dormaa Aduana Stars 1-0 in their Northern sector National First Division football league match played at Berekum on Sunday.

Arsenals, who defeated Brong Ahafo United 2-1 in their midweek encounter at the Sunyani Coronation park last Wednesday, played a great game before their pet crowd.

Despite the Aduana boys' stiff opposition, Arsenals managed to run away with a lone goal victory scored in the 70th minute through centre-forward Yeboah.

At Kintampo, Kintampo United thrashed visiting Upper West Heroes 2-0.

At Wa, the match between Sunyani Brong Ahafo United and Wa Kwa-Max F/C was called off.

The home team failed to turn up although B/A United, the referee and all other match officials, were on the field .

At Legon in Accra, Nima Khalid F/C trounced Ho Voradep 3-1 in their encounter.

GRi..