GRi Sport 16-03-99

Committee says stadiums probe is on course

Soccer-La Old Stars Association inaugurated

Accra (Greater Accra), 16 March 

The special Committee set up by the Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills to probe the award of contract for the rehabilitation of the Accra and Kumasi sports stadiums on Monday assured the public that it will do its best to unearth the truth without fear or favour.

Speaking to newsmen in Accra, Lieutenant-Colonel Emmanuel Tagoe, Chairman of the three-man Committee said they would delve into the matter and do everything possible to come out with the true situation.

Lt. Col Tagoe said he and his colleagues are aware of the Herculean nature of the task entrusted to them and will do everything possible to serve the interest of the nation and retain the confidence the Vice-President has in them.

The committee, he said, also acknowledges the fact that it is not only government, which is interested in letting out the truth but the larger public as well.

He, therefore, appealed to individuals and organisations, to assist the committee, by providing information or memoranda to its secretariat at Accra Sports Stadium "Press Room".

The Committee sits daily from Monday to Friday between 0900 hours and 1500 hours. However, its proceedings are in camera and not open to the public.

He said it is important that memoranda sent should bear the full name and address of the author, who must be prepared to testify or prove the allegations before the committee.

"We know how valuable some of these memos could be to the probe, therefore, we shall find time to go through every material and invite the owners of those found relevant".

Lt. Col Tagoe explained that the committee has been working since it was appointed and has used the last two weeks to retrieve documents and other relevant information from the respective ministries, departments and agencies involved in the award of the contracts.

He said the committee is now set to deal with members of the public and will start inviting witnesses this week.

He appealed to the public, especially the media, to try as much as possible to minimise and discourage comments that would amount to prejudging the matter in order to make the committee's work less difficult and successful.

The Committee will initially consider matters regarding the Accra stadium and will move to Kumasi at the appropriate time. Vice-President Mills appointed the committee last month to probe the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of the two stadiums, following public outcry and allegations of irregularities. The committee is to determine whether there were any conflict of interest, as well as examine the mode of purchases made in connection with the rehabilitation work, among other things.

Accra (Greater Accra), 16 March 

A fifteen-member executive of La Old Football Stars Association was inaugurated by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr E.T. Mensah at La in Accra at the weekend.

Mr Mensah urged such associations to register as limited liability companies so that they can have the power to directly negotiate on behalf of any talented player they have groomed than depending on soccer agents.

He said football these days is not played for fun but is real business and entreated them to see it as such.

Mr Addo Addoquaye Mackay, Chairman of the association thanked Mr Mensah for his concern for old footballers and appealed to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to see to it that old footballers enjoy free passes to all stadiums as well as attaching the good ones to clubs as coaches.

Earlier, La Old Stars beat their Teshie counterpsrts 2-1 in a match to mark the day.

Mr Mensah, on behalf of his Ministry, donated four footballs and pledged an amount of 500,000 cedis to the Association while Mr Sylvester Mensah , Member of Parliament for La Dadekotopon, presented a football and 100,000 cedis.

Meanwhile La Aviation Stars F/C have asked their players and those interested in playing for the team to report for training at the club's training grounds on Friday, March 19.

According to Coach Akpor Eddie-Wise a series of friendly matches have been arranged to put the club in good shape before the commencement of the regional second division football league.