Goldfields make it at Tamale
Committee submits stadium probe report
Accra (Greater Accra), 5th July -
Vice President John Atta Mills Friday received the report of the committee that probed rehabilitation works at the Accra and Kumasi stadiums.
The three-man committee under Lt-Col. Emmanuel Tagoe recommended, among others, that the accounts of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) be audited as soon as possible.
The committee was constituted in February this year by the Vice-President, following public outcry against the mode and award of the contract for the project, as well as its execution towards the hosting of the 11th African Under 20 soccer Championship (Ghana '99).
Other members were Mr. Geoffrey Awah and Mr. Francis Assuah.
Regarding conflict of interest, which had been the a cause for general discontent among the public, the committee did not find any of the officials guilty, but recommended that disclosure of interest, which hitherto covered professional sports associations should also cover Amateur Sports Associations.
This, in its opinion, will prevent the likelihood of conflict of interest.
It called for the rejection of the Kumasi stadium scoreboard in favour of one "befitting the international status" of the stadium, one of the two venues for the hosting of African Nations' Cup (CAN) 2000 tournament.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the consultants for the project are to ensure that the Kumasi stadium public address system is installed.
The Committee also recommended that an Outside Broadcast (OB) van be purchased as a matter of urgency for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation to install the microwave unit to ensure live TV telecast of future international sporting assignments at the Kumasi stadium.
It called on the government to provide adequate budgetary allocations on a yearly basis towards the phased development and maintenance of the country's stadiums.
In addition to the proposed Olympics Sports Stadium, all other stadiums must be brought up to international standard to facilitate the holding of international competitions at regular intervals.
The Committee was of the view that preparations for international competitions must of necessity begin early.
It therefore recommended that local organising committees for future competitions must be appointed by the GFA management board and must be put in place "long before any major international sporting activity."
Lt-Col Tagoe presented three copies each of the report and the records of proceedings to Professor Mills.
Professor Mills directed the Castle Public Affairs Directorate to make more copies for the independent press and all other interested persons.
"I want to leave the people of Ghana to read everything and give their own judgement."
He recalled complaints by members of the public against the execution of the project, saying government responded to the people's call to unearth the truth by setting up the committee.
The Committee, he said, was a fact-finding one and gave the assurance that government will study and act on the report without fear or favour.
He thanked the members of the Committee for accepting to undertake the task. Lt-Col Tagoe said his team worked "tirelessly" to examine all the issues as specified in its terms of reference to determine irregularities, mode of purchases and payments.
The issue of whether there was any conflict of interest was critically examined, he said.
He added that they enquired into the activities of the various departments and ministries whose functions related to the rehabilitation work at the two stadiums, as well as other matters considered relevant.
The report listed 25 individuals and organisations as having testified before the Committee.
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Christian Sports organisation inaugurated
Accra (Greater Accra), 5 July, 99 –
A group of Ghanaian Christian professional and amateur sportsmen and women have formed an organisation geared at eradicating 'juju' and drugs from sports.
The Fellowship of Christian Sports Men and Women (FOCS), the brain-child of Rev. Samuel Korankye-Ankrah, Founder and General Overseer of International Bible Worship Centre (IBWC), in collaboration with some sportsmen, was inaugurated on Republic Day, July one.
Those behind the organisation include footballers Kwame Ayew, Samuel Osei Kufuor, Tony Yeboah and Stephen Appiah, all of whom play their soccer outside the country.
Others are Mr. Emmanuel Abukari, Head Coach of the National Jumpers, Ghana's high jump team, Mr Rex Danquah, a National Sports Consultant, Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu and Nii Lamptey Vanderpuiye, both Sports
Journalists.
Currently, the fellowship has a membership of about 100 footballers, athletes, hockey players, coaches in various disciplines, sports journalists and consultants, most of whom were drawn from the Ghana Police and Prisons Services.
Reverend Ankrah, who inaugurated FOCS, observed that "it is unfortunate how sportsmen and women across the globe erroneously equate success in their career to the use of juju and drugs.
"It is about time our sportsmen and women realised that promotion comes from God through discipline, devotion and prayers, rather than the use of juju and drugs, which have grave negative side effects on their users."
Reverend Ankrah urged Ghanaian sports men and women to be disciplined, train diligently, be submissive to their coaches and pray for God's favour and promotion.
He said FOCS would offer a forum for experienced sportsmen, consultants, lawyers, insurance experts and other professionals to advise members on how to manage their careers for optimum benefit and future security.
Reverend Ankrah said IBWC would also create contacts with Christian sports agents outside the country for overseas contracts in various disciplines for members of FOCS, adding that "we have already made contact with one such football agent in Italy."
The pastor invited all Ghanaian sportsmen and women and sports journalists to join FOCS and help shape the future of the country's sports sector "on godly principles".
He also called on retired sportsmen and women to join FOCS, saying: "FOCS offers you the chance of being rehabilitated, where necessary, to make it possible for you to pass on your experience to the present generation."
Mr. Rex Danquah, who is Chief Executive of Rex Image, asked sportsmen and women to manage their lives properly to ensure sustainability in their chosen careers.
He asked them to avoid excessive drinking of liquor, promiscuity, drugs and other practices, saying: "Learn from past sports personalities who fell victim to the mismanagement of their lives.
"You must also learn to study contract documents critically before you append your signatures to them to avoid being exploited by greedy sports agents."
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Results of the ABC/FA knockout matches played on Sunday.
Accra: Khalid...Two (2) Afienya...Three (3)
Kumasi: Q.P.R....Nil (0) Ghapoha....One (1)
Tamale: Republicans...Nil (0) Goldfields...Two (2)
Jasikan: Buem United...Nil (0) Hearts....One (1)
Ho: Voradep...Two (2) All Blacks... Nil (0)
Salaga: Jakpa Warriors...Four (4) RTU...Five (5) on Penalties
(Scores at the end of 90 minute was 1-1)
Wa: Kwamax....One (1) Kotoko....Three (3)
Suhum: MaxBees... Three(3) Okwawu.....Four (4) Penalties.
Konongo:Corners...Six (6) Dawu... (Five (5)Penalties
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Soccer-Afienya beat Khalid, 3-2 in ABC/FA knockout Accra (Greater Accra), 5th July 99 – Afienya United sailed through to the next stage of the ABC/FA Cup when they beat Khalid FC, 3-2 in their one-sixteenth stage match, played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. A hat-trick by top marksman, Ablade Morgan, who scored in the third, 43rd and 57th minutes ensured victory for Afienya while, Richard Osae and Robert Lartey scored in the ninth and 89th minutes for first division campaigners Khalid. Afienya kicked off on a very fast note and raided the Khalid goal area incessantly. In one of such moves, John Sangnor of Khalid brought down former Hearts of Oak striker, Mike Serwornu, in the box. The referee whistled for a spot kick, which was converted by Morgan. Kahlid put their act together and equalised in the ninth minute through Osae. He fired the ball into the roof of the net after receiving a header from his mate, Lartey. Khalid nearly went ahead in the 22nd minute but Lartey delayed in the Afienya '18' for the defence to clear the situation while Djangmah Iddrissu's powerful long-range shot was parried for a corner kick by goalkeeper Laud Quartey in the 34th minute. Afienya came back strongly into the game and would have taken the lead in the 41st minute but Emmanuel Aidoo’s strike was saved by goalkeeper Joseph Ashong of Khalid with an acrobatic dive. Kahlid were reduced to 10 men a minute later, when Iddrissu was sent off for a second offence. Afienya immediately exploited the numerical disadvantage of Khalid and scored the second goal through Morgan, when he headed the ball home from Ishawu Yaro's free kick in the 43rd minute. After the recess, Khalid improved on their game but lack of imagination in front of goal was their bane as they failed to find the net. Morgan was on target again in the 57th minute, when he tapped the ball into the net after Aidoo had effected a corner kick from the right flank.
Kahlid went on the offensive in the 68th minute but Afienya's Ben Doe blocked Nana Yaw's goal bound shot and the ball fell into the path of Kahlid's Kwaku Ofori but the he shot the ball against the side netting.
Khalid maintained persistent pressure on Afienya and it paid off in the 89th minute, when Lartey received a pass on his chest and shot the ball into the Afienya net.
A last minute effort by Khalid to draw level fizzled out when Osae sneaked through the Afienya defence in the penalty area but he was obstructed and pushed off the ball but the referee did not give them the expected penalty.
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GHAPOHA beat Queens Park Rangers
Kumasi : Tema Ghapoha, eliminated Queens Park Rangers, a first division side when they beat them 1-0 in their match played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.
Rangers put up a gallant fight against their more experienced opponents but bowed out in the end.
Ghapoha shot into the lead as early as the second minute, when the ball zoomed into the net from a free kick taken outside the "18" by skipper Robert Amoako with goalkeeper Issaka Amadu rooted to the ground.
The premier league club dictated the pace of the game as Rangers struggled to keep pace in the early minutes of the game.
Rangers wrested the attack midway in the half and put Ghapoha under pressure but were denied the equaliser in the 43rd minute when Isaac Ackon sliced through the defence but agile goalkeeper Kodjo Yessou saved his close shot.
Ackon again failed to score in the 57th minute when he raced ahead of the defence and hit a low shot, which beat the goalkeeper but Isaac Buah scooped the ball from the goal line.
Rangers attacked in bursts as Ghapoha recoiled into their shell but despite being inspired with brilliant moves by left-winger Eric Agyapong, they could not level up as their attackers squandered several chances.
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Tamale: Obuasi Goldfields managed a hard fought 2-0 win over first division new entrants Real Republicans at the Kaladan Park,Tamale.
Republicans took the kick off and impressed the sparse crowd with good short inter-positional passes but they failed to surprise their much experience opponents.
Goldfields pushed more men up front and in one of such moves midfielder Ofosu Peasare sent in a long pass into the Republicans goal area for outside right Lawrence Adjei to slot in the ball for the first goal in the 23rd minute.
After the recess, Goldfields, who found the Republican team a hard nut to crack, increased the tempo of the game and inexperience on the part of the
Tamale boys allowed centre forward Nana Arhin Duah to increase the tally in the 65th minute.
Just after the goal, the rains set in and the field turned into a pool of water, which made ball control difficult but referee turned down appeals by the home team to stop the match.
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