Stars were robbed of victory - Sports Minister

Accra, July 6, GNA - Minister for Youth and Sports, Ms Akua Sena Dansua was full of commendation for the performance of Ghana's Black Stars and said they Stars were robbed of victory in the last Saturday's match against Uruguay at the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

Ms Dansua blamed the loss of the Stars to bad officiating, adding that the premature and painful exit of the Stars would however not in any way dampen their spirit for future successes.

"We are prepared to do even better in 2014," Ms Dansua said in Accra when President Atta Mills received members of the gallant Stars and hosted them to a luncheon at the Osu Castle, in Accra, on Tuesday. The reception was attended by high profile representatives of the political divide including the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention People's Party and People's National Convention as well as members of the African Diplomatic Corps.

Ms Dansua announced a reward of 20,000 dollars to each player as well the Coach and his Assistant and 10,000 dollars to each of the members of the technical team and the management team of the Ghana Football Association. The Sports Minister said donations were still coming in for the campaign of the Stars at the Mundial and announced that special accounts that have been opened at the Ghana Commercial and Stanbic Banks in honour of the team. Ms Dansua expressed Government's appreciation to the South African President, Jacob Zuma, former South African President, Nelson Mandela and Mrs Winnie Mandela for the cordial reception accorded the Stars, who represented not only Ghana, but also the rest of the entire Africa continent and Africans in the Diaspora at the quarter final stage at the FIFA world soccer fiesta in South Africa.

She appealed to the FIFA, the world soccer governing body to re-examine some the rules of the game that had outlived it usefulness and urged the Africa Union to launch a campaign against unfair treatment of African teams in such international tournaments.

Commodore Steve Obimpeh, (Rtd), in a poetic language said the Stars, who were despatched as warriors, "destroyed", "halted" and gunned down their opponents but were rather robbed by the hand of the Uruguayan star striker Luis Suerez, which he described as the "hand of the Devil" rather than the "hand of God."

"You made us proud by your wonderful performance," Commodore Obimpeh said.

Commodore Obimpeh assured the players of the support of President Mills, the Government and all Ghanaians as they "regrouped and re-strategise for Brazil 2014."

"Ayekoo, Akpe na mi; you are welcome, you are our heroes," Commodore Obimpeh added.

Enoch Teye Mensah, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, who was a former Minister of Youth and Sports, consoled the Stars' striker, Asamoah Gyan for missing the penalty kick and unable to convert kick into a goal. He appealed to sports fans to stop the blame game and attacks on the striker, explaining that it was the work of destiny and that many top strikers had lost such opportunities.

Mr E.T. Mensah, who is also a former player of Accra Hearts of Oak, regretted the relegation of Sekondi Eleven Wise, Sekondi Hasaacas and Accra Great Olympics from the Premier League and called on the Ghana Football Authority to increase the base of the local teams from 16 to 20. He also suggested the establishment of a Sports Academy to help train and help in the hunt for more youthful talents.

The Minister also called on the Ministry of Education to ensure the re-establishment of inter-schools sports competitions. Stars keeper, Richard Kingson deputised for Skipper Stephen Appiah after he was taken ill suddenly before the Stars' arrival at the Castle, and thanked President Mills for his inspiring prayers with the Stars. "That prayer touched me a lot," Kingson, invited his son to join as he spoke, adding "by God's grace, we did our best." He thanked Ghanaians for the wonderful reception given them by the teeming enthusiastic fans on their arrival at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Monday night. Mr Jean-Pierre Gbikpi- Benissan, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana, expressed strong conviction that Ghana, Senegal, and Cameroon who have all got to the quarter final stage at the World Cup tournament, can make it to the semi-finals come Brazil 2014. 06 July 10