House lauds Black Stars

Page 3, Feb 6, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
Buoyed by the spectacular performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars, in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Parliament yesterday lavished praises on the players and their handlers and urged them to fight hard to win the cup.
Most of the MPs who contributed to a statement made by the MP for Atwima-Mponua, Mr Isaac Asiamah, to congratulate the team advised the players and handlers not to be complacent about their current successes and underrate their next opponents, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.
In his statement, Mr Asiamah, who is also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture, had said the Black Stars had so far put up a splendid performance and “I urge them to twinkle to win the two matches ahead of them to annex the ultimate”.
The MP noted that last Sunday’s match between Ghana and Nigeria marked the 60th encounter between the two West African soccer giants, adding that statistics indicated that Ghana was tactically superior to Nigeria in soccer.
Mr Asiamah also commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the tournament and the government for the extensive preparation, in terms of security arrangements, accommodation and other infrastructural support, which had so far ensured the success of the tournament.
He, however, identified ticketing as one problem currently facing the LOC and called for an effective machinery to overcome that challenge so that the remaining matches would receive the necessary patronage.
Mr Asiamah said the incessant prayers and support by fans had encouraged the players to gallantly defend the flag of Ghana.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Juaboso, Mr Sampson Ahi, said the performance of the team in the face of odds showed that the country would be able to achieve its goals if the people were united.
He, however, wondered why it had become very difficult for ordinary Ghanaians to purchase tickets for matches involving the Black Stars to enable them to be part of the spectators.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, said the Black Stars players had not been intimidated by the bullying tactics of their Nigerian counterparts, saying that unity and tenacity of purpose had been the critical ingredients that had propelled them so far.
The MP for Garu-Tempane, Mr Dominic Azumah, urged the handlers to deal with the striking ability of the team before they met their Camerounian counterparts. He, however, predicted a 1-0 victory for the Black Stars.
Mr Azumah also expressed concern over the manner in which some people had been celebrating the victories of the Black Stars, which had resulted in the death of three people, with many more being injured.
The Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, noted that many of the fans who had been trooping to the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to watch the Black Stars matches were women and congratulated them on their exploits.
While welcoming the government’s plan to construct modern stadia in each of the 10 regions, the minister, who is also the MP for Nalerigu/Gambaga, predicted a 3-0 victory for the Black Stars in their encounter with Cameroun.
For his part, the Minority Leader, Mr Alban Bagbin, said Ghana’s dream of hosting and winning the tournament was on course and so everything possible should be done for the achievement of that dream.
He proposed that the leadership of the House visit the team to encourage the players and handlers before they tackled tomorrow’s match.
The Minister of Education, Science and Sports, Mr Dominic Fobih, commended President Kufuor for his visits to the camp of the team, saying they had boosted the morale of both the handlers and players.
Commenting on the ticketing issue, the minister said the LOC had to satisfy CAF regulations on the allocation of tickets, adding that it was not deliberate to deny the public access to the stadium to cheer the Black Stars.