SATELLITES ARRIVE IN KUALA LUMPUR

The national Under-20 team, the Black Satellites arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital last Monday to participate in the World Youth championship for the FIFA Coca Cola Cup. The Satellites are one of four African countries to participate in the 24-nation tournament which kicks off on June 16 and ends on July 5.

The contingent of locally-based players and officials was prior to departing to Malaysia, based in South Korea. The satellites who are in Group C alongside the Republic of Ireland, China and the U.S, played two trial matches against the Under-20 team of Korea.

While the Satellites lost the first encounter 1-3, they won second match 1-0.

The early arrival in Malaysia to get acclimatized was made possible by a sponsorship package from Telecom Malaysia following a request the GFA made to their Ghanaian branch, Ghana Telecom. In a chat with Mr. Adnan Rofiee, Managing Director of Ghana Telecom at his office yesterday, he said their parent company has put up a $ 70,000 package for the Satellites he said have been lodged at a five-star hotel and with the cost of training, transportation, and Bother incidentals being borne by Malaysia Telecom.

In another development, the foreign-based players will join their colleagues 14 days before the tournament. GFA sources which confirmed the Satellites arrival said PTA's have been dispatched to the players, among them include Peter Ofori Quaye, Bashiru Gambo, Baba Sule, Christian Gyan, Patrick Allotey and Awudu Issaka.

The Satellites left the country a fortnight ago for a training tour of South Korea.

Source: Graphic