GRi Sports Ghana
06 - 05 - 2001
Disaster Commission-Ministry contracted stadium renovation - Kwateng
Soccer-Black Stars resume camping on Monday
Disaster Commission-Ministry contracted stadium renovation - Kwateng
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 June 2001
Mr. Joe
Kwateng, Chief Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC)
told the Accra Stadium Disaster Probe Commission on Tuesday that the Ministry
of Youth and Sports awarded contract for renovation work at the stadium without
the involvement of the NSC.
He said
though the NSC is the custodian of the Accra Sports Stadium, it was not consulted,
neither was it involved in the procurement of plastic chairs.
Describing
the plastic chairs as "very fragile" Mr Kwateng said, "you can
pull them and they will break in your hands."
The Chief
Sports Development Officer who described himself as the number two man of the
NSC said he does not have any control over football because "the powers of
the NSC have been taken away by the GFA."
Outlining
his duties, Mr Kwateng said he is supposed to oversee all sporting associations
and administer them through their general secretaries but he does not do that
to the GFA.
Asked by
Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa if Mr Wolanyo Agra does not report to him, the
Chief Sports Development Officer replied in the negative.
On the
relationship between workers at the NSC, Mr. Kwateng said there was harmony but
re-tracked, soon after, and said he was not on talking terms with Mr. James
Kofi Aggrey, Acting Chief Administrative Officer because the administrator
wants to usurp the number two spot from him.
There was
disagreement between two policemen, who returned to Commission for further
evidence.
While
Assistant Superintendent (ASP) B.B.Bakamora told the Commission that his name
was written on the allowance sheet which would enable him to collect some money
for his services on May 9 because the policemen who wrote it thought he was on
duty, Inspector John Ampomah refuted it.
The
Inspector said he was instructed by ASP Bakamora to write his name for
subsequent payment of duty allowance, even though he was not on duty.
Inspector
Ampomah who claimed to on permanent stadium duty said ASP Bakamora telephoned
him on May 8 and instructed him to arrange for some crash barriers for the
Hearts-Kotoko match the following day.
ASP
Bakamora however denied ever talking to Inspector Ampomah, the day before the
match.
Chief
Inspector Jambeiju Abubakar of the Striking Force said he heard and saw Chief
Superintendent Nana Koranteng Mintah, Commander of the Armoured Cars Squadron
give orders to Constanble Gyamfi to target some fans who were begging the
police to spare them.
"Then
Gyamfi's shot landed on one of the supporters, as he was ordered by CSP Mintah
'to shoot there' when the people were begging, he said."
The
commission's planned return to the Accra Sports Stadium was aborted when the
rains began to fall. Sitting was consequently adjourned to Wednesday.
GRi…/
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Soccer-Black Stars resume camping on Monday
Accra
(Greater Accra) 06 June 2001
The
national team, the Black Stars, resume camping on Monday, June 11, ahead of
their final group six Mali 2002 qualifier against Lesotho at Kumasi Sports
Stadium on Sunday, June 17.
Caretaker
coach Osam Duodo told the GNA that the players would comprise of those who
battled the Warriors of Zimbabwe in their crunched match last Sunday and those
who were in camp but were not selected for the Southern African trip.
Last
Sunday, the Black Stars comprising mainly of local players, shattered the
dreams of Zimbabwe of ever qualifying for the nations cup with a 2-1 victory.
The
Zimbabweans blamed their former coach and government nominee for the GFA top
post Ben Koufie for the defeat.
Ben Koufie
is alleged to have cursed the country after his romance with them came to a sad
end in 1992.
He is
believed to have said that even if a coach was sent from the heavens, Zimbabwe
would never qualify for the nations cup.
Ben Koufie
has however, denied ever cursing them.
GRi…/
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