Accra (Greater Accra) -Mr. Joseph Ade Coker, Chairman of Great Olympics, is optimistic that the gods of Accra will smile on his club in their clash with city rivals, Hearts of Oak in next Wednesday's ECOWAS soccer challenge Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.
"I hope things will be different on Wednesday", said Ade Coker, apparently hoping to reverse the 0-3 loss to Hearts in their last match of the first round in the ABC Premier League at the same venue two-and-half weeks ago. He expressed the optimism during the presentation of the giant trophy, to be competed for by the two teams, by Mr. George Cann, Chief Director of the Ministry of Planning, Regional Economic Co-operation and Integration, to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah in Accra on Friday.
The match forms part of activities marking the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), which fell on May 28, this year. The gold trophy, donated by the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, would be won for keeps by either of the teams in addition to cash prize of 10 million cedis.
Additionally, both teams will take home five million cedis each as an appearance fee and 25 per cent of the net gate proceeds. Ade Coker said he was happy that Oly was part of the ECOWAS celebrations. On his part, Mr. Harry Zakkour, Chairman of Hearts of Oak, said there was no way Oly could stop Hearts and expressed conviction that Hearts will carry the day.
Mr. Mensah later presented the trophy to Col. George Brock, acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, who also presented it to the Ghana Football Association.
Some sponsors of the match include Voltic mineral water, Kingdom Transport, Latex foam and Accra Brewery. An ECOWAS flag will be hoisted on the day.
