36 to form nucleus of Black Spikers

The Ghana Volleyball Association (GVA) has selected a total of 36 players made up of 17 women and 19 men, including two foreign-based ones, to form the nucleus of the national volleyball team, the Black Spikers.

The exercise is in preparation for the Zone 3 elimination of the All-Africa Games which will be staged in Cotonou, Benin, between February 17 and 22, this year.

A press release issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the association?s Vice-Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Amoako, said the players are to start non-residential training at the Lebanon House, Tudu, Accra, from Tuesday, January 14, 2003.

The players are: (women) Elizabeth Essel, Mary Addai, Kate Bruce-Tagoe, Amamata Yakubu, Vida Ocran, Alima Bannerman and Esther Antwi all of Police; Emelia Cobblah, Susan Allam, Evelyn Fanusah, Alberta Atutse, Maame Issah, Dorothy Boakye, Sophia Sowah, Joyce Atandagne, Helen Abakisi all of Prisons; and Grace Appiah of Fire Service.

The men team comprises Solomon Acquaye, Casmil Agbenyegah, Shamsu Awudu, all of Kwamerk, Eric Ofori Antwi of Prisons, Clement Gbekley, Wise Adzokpa, Paul Arthur Adjei, Kenneth Baka, Fredrick Dzrekey, Enoch Asamoah, William Akakpo, and Seidu Baba all of Police.

The rest are Evans, Lomotey-Tagoe, Alex Adams, both of Airforce, George Nii Mensah of VALCO, Ofei Akuffo Awuku and Nathaniel Mill, both of Fire Service.

The foreign-based players are Edward Seidu Ajanako (USA) and Ransford Kpakpo Pappoe (Belgium).

The statement said the teams will be handled by coaches Akomisnaba Agama and Justice Adjasoo.