...to be rewarded by SWAG
Die Hard Sports Supporters Group led
by Abraham Nkansah are very grateful to Almighty God, the Sports Authorities
and the Sports Media for recognising their contributions to the promotion and
development of sports in Ghana.
Abraham Nkansah popularly called “Apirigu
Chakapama” said his vision for forming his group is not solely to travel, but
support every sporting discipline and make it attractive to encourage the
participants and spectators.
He noted that if the opportunity
comes to travel they will go, but it is not by force that they have to go to
every tournament.
“We are a special group that is why
the Sports Authority and popular sports companies invite us. We are the best
that is why the Sports Writers Association of Ghana honoured us as the first
and best supporting group to be rewarded at a national function like the SWAG
Awards event where we stood on the same podium with top stars like Mahatma
Otoo, Kwadwo Asamoah, Priscilla Okyere, Didi Dramani, Duke Micah, Osumanu
Adama, Amos Kobla and the Black Maidens at the 38th SWAG Awards at
the Banquet Hall of the State House” he commented.
According to Nkansah, Die Hard was
formed with a mission and vision to grow and promote Ghana sports that is why
they are into boxing, athletics, cycling, weightlifting, basketball, handball,
volleyball, table tennis, tennis, beach soccer, golf, hockey, swimming, chess,
scrabble, ampe, taekwondo, judo, kickboxing, badminton, body building, rugby,
cricket, rowing and canoeing, baseball and in fact all sporting events in Ghana
and they sing best, clap best and cheer best.
He said their hall mark is
discipline and they are not only to support but some of their members are
sportsmen and women who know about the rules and regulations of sporting
programmes and the sports themselves.
He thanked the SWAG for honouring
them as the first and best and promised to keep on with the discipline and
cheering all sports activities.
Abraham Nkansah said they are spread
in all regions, but due to financial difficulties only a few of them get the
chance to travel to support the Ghana sports teams outside Ghana and appealed
to companies to help them when it comes to securing sponsorship for world class
events like the FIFA World Cup and African Cup of Nations.
“We are known as Die Hard Sports
Supporters because we die for sports and what we can do none can do. We are the
best and the neatest. We are for sports development and promotion, so we are of
a special standard and class that is why three of our members were awarded
special prizes at the 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa” he narrated.
He urged Ghanaians to pray hard that
the Black stars overcome Zambia in the last but one qualifier and go on to win
the last match to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
He said Brazil must be a must for
Ghana because Ghana is the Brazil of Africa and Ghana is the only nation that
can match Brazil boot for boot and beat them as it has happened before when
Dede Ayew led the Ghana Under 20 team to beat Brazil at the finals of the 2009
Under 20 World Championship in Egypt.
He stressed that he is going all out
to support Ghana even if he will die at sports meetings, want to brand, market
and reap from his toils.
He welcomed the coming together all
40 supporters groups in Ghana with the formation of a coalition and monitoring
of their activities as some may have different aims, objectives and goals that
are opposite to even the FIFA Fair Play policy.
“Chakapama” as he also loves to
answer to said companies can gain a lot if they are linked to a transparent and
cooperating group like the Ghana Die Hard Sports Supporters Union.
