Enhanced Hearts-media relationship advocated

Kumasi, Sept 11, GNA - Supporters of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club have been advised to shun utterances and practices that could mar the good relationship between the club and the media.

Mr Sule Mahama Alhassan, First Deputy National Organiser of the National Chapters Committee (NCC) of Hearts, who gave the advice, entreated the supporters to accord media personnel the needed respect in the discharge of their duties for the benefit of the club. "We should always co-operate with the media and desist from intimidating or harassing those with divergent views", he remarked. Mr Alhassan said this at a press conference organized by the Ashanti Regional Chapters Committee (RCC) of Hearts in Kumasi at the weekend.

The conference, among others, was to inform sports broadcasters and the media in the Region about measures being instituted by the RCC to regulate the activities of Public Relation Officers (PROs) of the various Chapters in the region especially on the airwaves. Mr Alhassan appealed to especially sports broadcasters to be circumspect about issues concerning the club in their reportage and programmes.

He impressed upon them to seek clarification from the relevant authorities on issues concerning the club so as not to misinform the public.

The First Deputy Organiser also called on well-meaning supporters of Hearts to contribute in cash towards the Club's development to enable the team to take its enviable position in African football. Mr Joe Saliu, Chairman of the RCC called on the PRO's who had been engaged by radio stations in the region to talk on behalf of Hearts to ensure they seek approval from the regional body before undertaking their activities. He said such an arrangement would help to forestall instances where supporters who are ignorant about Hearts' activities and agenda are erroneously misrepresented by such stations to the disadvantage of the Club. 11 Sept. 07