FIFA okay Meteors and Queens for Olympic Games qualifiers

Accra, Feb. 2, GNA - World soccer governing body, Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has okayed Ghana's participati= on in the qualifiers of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The announcement is expected to clear the "dark clouds' surroundin= g the participation of the Black Meteors and the Black Queens in the preliminary rounds of the quadrennial tournament following the suspension of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In a statement to the GNA Sports, FIFA indicated that Ghana's participation at the preliminary rounds is confirmed in line with Article "5" of the regulations of the competition which states that Association= s may participate provided there is a National Olympic Committee in their respective country.

"There is no direct consequence for the preliminary competition matc= hes for the Olympic Football tournament London 2012. "This competition is played under the auspices and administered by F= IFA and the FIFA Member Associations. At entering the competition, the GFA was complying with provision 1 of Article 5, as there is a National Olympic Committee (NOC) in Ghana.

"Consequently, Ghana is a confirmed participant in the preliminary competition," FIFA Media Department said.

By this assurance, Ghana's participation in the main tournament can only be determined by the Organising Committee of the tournament.