Thriller in Prampram in women’s soccer
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 04 April 2000
Athletic fans who thronged the Kumasi Sports stadium for the 2000 senior and junior competition over the weekend had their monies worth as they were constantly kept on their feet and clapping for brilliant performances exhibited by the athletes.
In the end Abu Dua of Ashanti and Timothy Mandela from Greater Accra stole the show by coming out tops in the seniors division.
Dua, an international athlete, who is back in the country nursing an injury he sustained last year, won the 100 and 200 metres events after being hotly pursued by strong contenders like Emmanuel Asante from Ghana University Students Association (GUSA) and Harry Adu-Mfum from Central Region.
Mandela however had it easier winning both the 5000m and 10,000m events, making times of 14min.56.5sec. and 31min.32.5seconds respectively.
Kennedy Osei from Police won the 800m in a time of 1min. 48.3 seconds with Francis Asamoah also from Police and Philbert Amuzu from Ashanti, taking the second and third spots respectively with times of 1min. 50.3 seconds and 1min. 52.2 seconds.
Essel Mensah from Prisons came first in the hurdles with a time of 52.9 sec., while George Tay from Immigration and Patrick Ackon from GUSA won the second and third positions respectively with times of 55.7 and 56.1 seconds.
Isaac Boakye from Brong Ahafo won the discus with a throw of 43.58 metres. The second slot went to Charles Amoah from Central with a throw of 41. 75 metres while Gerald Cudjoe from GUSA came third with a throw of 38 38.80 metres.
In the long jump, Anthony Essuman from Ashanti leapt 7.39m to win the first position. Samuel Sraha, also from Ashanti came second, having leaped 7.05m with third place going to Mark Jonah of GUSA who chalked 6. 94m.
In the senior women division, Veronica Bawuah won the 200m with a time 22.4 seconds while Helena Amoako anchored Ashanti to win the 4x100m event with a time of 47.6seconds. The second spot fell to Mavis Akoto anchorwoman for Prisons with third position going to Greater Accra who finished in a time of 52.0seconds.
In the 400m event, Akosua Serwaa from Ashanti first with a
time of 55.4 seconds. The second and third positions went to Grace Nartey and
Rose Bodomah who were timed 56.5 and 57.8
GRi...
By J.Evans Owusu
Women’s soccer in the country definitely has miles to go but whatever promises the future holds for the sport was displayed when eight teams met and sold classic soccer to football lovers at the Prampam Football Park at the weekend.
There could not have been a better show from the teams most of whom had relaxed their training schedules due to inactivity after the Ghana Women’s Soccer (GAWSOC) league ended last September.
Inactivity alright, but once the ladies got unto the pitch, most of them showed no sign of rustiness, rather exhibiting very impressive skills.
At first fans were eager to catch a glimpse of players of the Black Queens that featured in the World’s Women’s Cup in US but their applaud, later, showed no impartiality as almost every player exhibited some excellence.
Black Queens’ goalkeeper, Memunatu Abiba Sulemana, put up an impressive performance that saw her team, Mawuena Ladies, playing in the final of the gala.
Indeed parading a relatively inexperienced and immature side, Mawuena Ladies were thought to be no match for La Ladies who eventually won. However, with Memunatu in posts as well as players like Patricia Ofori, they managed to keep the result at a respectable 1-0.
There was Nana Ama Gyamfua and Mavis Djangmah who also proved their worth as members of the Queens. Twice, Nana Ama struck for Posts Ladies in their 5-0 trashing of Tesano Ladies while Mavis Djangmah, played a yeoman’s job in leading her team, La ladies to retain the gala.
Diana Quainoo, making a second season appearance for La Ladies also showed her prowess in goal-scoring, getting her name three times on the scoresheet for her team.
But perhaps, the most impressive of all the players was Basilea Amoah-Tetteh, who had just returned to the game after a year of maternity leave. She stunned most fans with her perfect control of the midfield, her speed and her brilliant way of dispossessing her opponents of the ball.
Many may have also written off Fati Musah, gloveswoman for Ashiaman Ladies who has been out of the game to have a romance on volley and netball but her passion for the sport has brought her back into action helping her team to get to the quarterfinals of the competition.
If any team disappointed their fans, then it was Ghatel Ladies. Though it has most of the best players, it was the general thinking that it was a matter of course for Ghatel to get to the final.
As it turned out, there is no exception to the rule when it comes to soccer. Just like it happens in men’s game, sometimes the big teams do disappoint. Like Hearts of Oak who lost out in this year’s gala, Ghatel are red-eyed for the real thing – the league. Hopefully it commences in two weeks time. From all indications, this year’s league will be full of fireworks, yet to be seen in women’s soccer.
GRi../
Prelims:
Ghatel 1 Ashaiman 0 Bluna 0 La 2
Dansoman 0 Mawuena 1 Tesano 0 Post 5
La ladies therefore emerged as champions of this year’s tournament. This marks the teams that qualified from the respective stages.
Honourable Mr. E.T. Mensah, Minister of Youth and Sports and Member of Parliament for the area presented the gala trophy to champions, La Ladies, at the end of the competition.
GRi../