MPs commend Black Stars

Page 17, Thurs June 25, 22009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

MEMBERS of Parliament (MPs) yesterday commended players of the national senior soccer team, the Black Stars, for their sterling performance in the ongoing World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualification matches.
They noted that by winning two away matches against Mali and The Sudan, the team had shown Ghanaians how success could be achieved, in the face of difficulties, with unity, dedication and commitment.
They were contributing to a statement made on the floor of Parliament by the MP for Suaman, Mr M.E.K. Ackah, who is also the Chairman of the Youth, Sports and Culture Committee of Parliament.
In his statement, Mr Ackah noted that experts and analysts of football had been very sceptical about the chances of the Black Stars in the two away matches due to ill-preparation, inadequate motivation, among other reasons.
“The Black Stars have shown that they are the shining stars of Africa. Indeed, it is when you least expect them to shine that their full blossom comes to light,” he said.
The MP stated that it needed a team that had commitment, courage, resilience, dedication and the will to die a little to keep the nation’s banner high to do that, adding, “These are the virtues our young, patriotic and gallant men exhibited.”
Mr Ackah said the journey to South Africa was only halfway through and cautioned the team and its handlers to eschew complacency in the remaining matches.
“The ultimate is not just getting to South Africa to participate but to dream big to make Ghana the first African country to annex the World Cup trophy,” he added.
He entreated the government to ensure that whatever it took to make the Black Stars achieve the best in the qualifying series was provided so that the commitment and dedication was sustained.
Contributing to the statement, the MP for Atwima Mponua, Mr Isaac Kwame Asiamah, who is also the Ranking Member of Youth, Sports and Culture, said the Black Stars’ journey to South Africa had been fantastic so far.
He said due to the quality of play by the team during the 2006 World Cup, the whole world was itching to see another quality performance which brought big soccer nations such as the Czech Republic and the United States of America to their knees.
He stated that the current performance of the team could be attributed to the long-term plan by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) which had groomed the players from the Under 17 stage to the senior level.
The Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, and the MP for Ahafo-Ano South, Mr Stephen Kwaku Balado-Manu, called on Ghanaians to be patient with the coach even in the face of difficulties.
Other MPs who contributed to the statement were Mr Ahmed Ibrahim (Tain) and Ms Beatrice Bernice Boateng (New Juaben South).