GRi Sports Ghana 26 - 09 - 2001
Athletics-Awere Appeals to the Minister
Accra (Greater Accra) 26 September 2001 - Scores of irate fans of Accra Hearts of Oak on Wednesday demonstrated against the team's management board for asking head coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio to proceed on leave.
They have subsequently given the management a 24-hour ultimatum to reinstate the coach else, the team would be prevented from training and also if possible, would not be allowed to honour their Sunday's match against Tema Ghapoha Readers at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The fans, who were led by Abdul Aziz, Chairman of the Musical Chapter "O" (Chapter 100) of Nima and Baba Jibrim, Public Relations Officer of the chapter thronged the offices of the Board Chairman, Ato Ahwoi at his offices in Abelenkpe in Accra.
They had earlier in the morning prevented deputy Coach Ofei Ansah and the entire playing body from training at their training grounds opposite the National Lotteries offices.
They claimed that they had nothing against Ofei Ansah but think he had stabbed Jones at the back since it was Jones who brought him back to the team after his was sacked.
The fans also said the timing of the board's decision was wrong pointing out that coach could have been asked to go on leave at the end of the soccer season.
Jones was given a letter on Tuesday by the Chief Executive of the Club Harry Zakkour to proceed on leave without any reason.
The fans alleged that the decision was a personal vendetta by Zakkour and some management members who are aggrieved that the coach was not fielding their favourite players.
Mr Zakkour later told the GNA Sports in an interview at his Bus Stop Restaurant that he had the blessing of the board of Directors to take the "rather sad decision."
"The decision was the result of poor performance by the club in their last two matches against Kotoko in Kumasi and Bofoakwa Tano in Suyani last Sunday and other factors".
On Dan Quaye's suspension, Mr Zakkour said the player alighted at Kumasi on their way back from Sunyani without any reason. He said a committee as been instituted to look into the player's behaviour.
There has been series of bribery allegation against some key players of the club, especially, in their match against Kotoko which Hearts lost 0-2.
Mr Zakkour told the GNA that Quaye later explained that he alighted to purchase some plywood to roof his building.
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Accra (Greater Accra) 26 September 2001 - Ghana's ace long jumper Mike Anthony Awere has appealed to the Minister of Youth and Sports to replace the current tartan tracks at the Accra Sports Stadium as it present state makes training very difficult.
Speaking to the GNA Sports in Accra on Wednesday, the Germany-based athlete said the nation has a lot of potential athletes who could bring honours to the nation if training facilities were improved.
"Even though the facilities here are not encouraging, the athletes who train here perform creditably when they meet other competitors with better facilities; so it would be in our own interest if those facilities are improved.''
He said because of the poor the facilities, the number of athletes keep on decreasing rapidly and if efforts are not made to save the situation, the nation would be left with no athletes to represent her in international competitions.
The 1999 All African Games bronze medallist said age would soon catch up with some of them so there is the need for the young ones, who would replace them to have good facilities to train with.
He regretted that huge amount of money is spent on football to the detriment of other.
" I have realised in the past that, they like using the money on only 22 players who would bring one medal than individuals who could bring medals. If they will come to our aid greater things will be achieved.''
The athlete who is currently preparing for the Commonwealth games in Manchester next year attributed his success so far to his local coaches.
Awere appealed to the authorities to camp athletes early when they are preparing competitions.
He regretted the situation whereby authorities wait till the last minute before calling athletes to camp, stressing that this is not good enough.
Asked why he could not participate in the athletics championship held in Edmonton this year, Awere who ranks third in Africa and 44th in the world said he failed to make the qualifying mark.
He however said he has been consistent this season and hoped to win a medal in the Commonwealth games, He appealed to the Ghana Amateur Athletic Association (GAAA) to look for sponsorship for them.
Awere said he has three more years before retiring and to take up coaching.
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