Akwamuhene appeals for a new stadium for Sunyani

Sunyani, (B/A), Dec. 4, GNA - Nana Sarbeng Ababio II, Akwamuhene of Sunyani Traditional Area has appealed to the Government to consider the construction of one of the new stadiums that are being undertaking towards hosting of the CAN 2008 at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region. He said that the history of the nation's sport - be it at the international or the local level would be incomplete without mentioning the Brong-Ahafo Region since it has produced notable sportsmen and women.

Nana Ababio who is a sports enthusiast made the appeal when he represented Nana Bosoma Asor-Nkrawiri II, Omanhene of Sunyani at the joint inauguration of the Brong-Ahafo Regional and Sunyani Municipal branches of the Ghana National Supporters Union at the Coronation Park, Sunyani on Saturday.

He said that in the field of football the region has produced names like "Power-house" Kwasi Owusu, who captained the Senior National team, the Black Stars, Nana Agyemang Gyau, Barnie Junior and Senior, "Soccer Articulator " Agyemang Badu and Adasi Fofie.

The rest include Nana Asumadu, prolific goal-scorer, Dan Owusu, "Soccer-Dancer" Adama Issaka, Alex Opoku, as well as the late Baba Yara (known in his hey days as the "West Africa Ace Right-Winger") and the late Atta Kwame.

Whilst in boxing, the Akwamuhene recalled the exploits of Yaw Konadu while in athletics he mentioned Kusi Aboraah junior, Atuahene and Stephen Asante, all former long distance runners and Kwame Saarah-Mensah, a hockey star of repute. Nana Ababio said a standardized sports stadium provided with all facilities for the various disciplines would go along way encouraging and unearthing more talents in sports sector and at the educational institutions.

He commended the Government for assisting in diverse ways in ensuring that the Black Stars qualified for her maiden appearance at the World Cup in the annals of the nation's sports history and expressed the conviction that the nation would triumph at next year's fiesta. The Omanhene, himself a football lover, in another message through the Akwamuhene suggested to the national Union to call on him during their next visit for mutual interactions. Nana Ababio on behalf of the Omanhene donated one million cedis in an appeal for fund.

Addressing the members, Mr. Abraham Boakye, national chairman and founder of the Union said its branches have been opened in London, Paris, Holland, Amsterdam, Dusserdolf, Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen, adding that the Ghana Ambassador or Consular in those cities had endorsed their establishment.

The "One Man Supporter" said that the attention of the Union would not be focused on only the Black Stars' matches in Egypt or Germany next year.

Mr. Boakye said the Union intends to extend its support to cover other sporting events involving any of the national teams both at home and away including the Black Queens, Table Tennis, Athletic, Black Sticks or Hockey, Boxing, Badminton, Black Stars, Satellites, Starlets or any other national sports assignments.

The national President said for the nation to qualify to host international competitions there should be a strong supporting base, peace and the needed resource to provide the logistics. He said the formation of the Union was gradually been structured t be a disciplined and a well-coordinated body and cautioned the people of the region to be wary falling prey to some selfish and unreliable unions.

Mr. Maxwell Kofi Jumah, a patron of the Union also cautioned Ghanaians to be mindful of what he termed as "good weather flight unions" which, he predicted, were bound to collapse because they had no proper foundation or history.

Mr. Jumah, a former Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive and currently Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa said membership of the Union was not limited to any particular political party, a particular football club.

Mr. Kwadwo Anane Frimpong, Brong-Ahafo Regional Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council of Ghana who deputized for the acting chief executive of the Council, Mr. Charles James Aryeh, suggested the need for all the emerging supporters unions in the country to come under one umbrella since they all professed to play similar supporting role to enhance promotion of sports in the country.. Otoobour Djan Kwasi II, Omanhene of Aburi who is also chief patron of the Ghana National Supporters Union formally inaugurated the 11-member Sunyani Municipal and six-member regional branches simultaneously.

The Sunyani Municipal branch has Mr. Nsiah Bediako, as Co-ordinator and Mr. Evans Kwame Kyere, Secretary while Mr. Attison is the Regional Co-ordinator. 04 Dec 05