Laryea Kingston was the side attraction again but it’s Atukpae who are celebrating their coronation as champions of Tigo Community Soccer over the weekend after beating Swalabar in the finals in the Accra Central leg of Ghana’s most participatory football tournament.
Atukpae, rank outsiders in the competition paraded a fine blend of footballers from the First Capital Plus Premier League all the way down to the amateur levels of Ghana football. But it was their resilience and combative approach that won them the diadem.
“We came here to win it. This is what we had purposed. Last year we lost in the quarter-final but this year we said it’s either the trophy or nothing. We started preparing for this tournament about one month ago because we heard it was going to come to Bukom,” Nii Addo Malaika, one of the leaders in the team said.
“You know here in Bukom, we are known mainly for boxing. Before you become a world champion in the sport, you have to work hard and have championship dreams. This is what we also did. Worked hard and dreamed of the gold medals around our necks. And it has absolutely come true,” Nii Addo Malaika added.
Bukom’s leg of Tigo Community Soccer provided perhaps the best entertainment yet as the dance competition and women’s penalty shootout provided a thrilling aside to the hard boiled knockout football format of the games.
Former Black Stars superstar, Laryea Kingston who was born a few meters away from the host park was absolutely thrilled by the dance moves from the area which has been credited with creating many of Ghana’s popular dances.
“You know both Azonto and Akaeeda are all from this area. Other major dances like ‘Gbor He’ and ‘Ko Gonn’ were all created here. So as for the dancing, no place in Ghana can beat this area. The women also came out to play and that is really encouraging. I have totally enjoyed myself,” said the former foreign based professional who is still celebrated in Scotland and Israel for his goal celebration dance moves.
Even though highly rated teams like defending champions Mamprobi, Bukom, Gbese, Adabraka, Salaga Market all got knocked out, the players and coaches applauded Tigo for a fantastic tournament.
“We play competitions here but Tigo Community Soccer is always different. The jerseys, the fun, the soccer itself are all great,” said Nii Kwatei, a player of the Korle Gonno team which finished third in the competition.
Bukom, the host community also applauded Tigo for the free medical screening and blood donation exercise attached to Community Soccer. Several residents turned up to check for Diabetes, Hypertension and Malaria. Doctors also checked for skin diseases and any other ailments.
The National Blood Bank also set up a post to receive donations. Naa Aku who donated blood said she felt she had contributed to a very worthy cause.
“People need blood all the time. I have been to Korle Bu Hospital many times when pregnant women in Labour need blood urgently and they need someone to donate. That is when you see that death is real and tragedy is staring at them,” she said.
“I have given this blood because a pregnant woman may need it or somebody who has been in a terrible accident. Was it painful? No, not at all. Was it fast? Yes, very quick and I know I will save someone’s life with this. Besides, I will also be given a card so anytime I need blood or a family member needs blood, I will be considered first,” Naa Aku concluded.
From Bukom, The Tigo Community Soccer train moves to Dansoman GbeGbeyise where sixteen teams are yet again expected to take part in Ghana’s biggest grassroots soccer competition. Nana Yaw Darkwa, the National Co-ordinator of Tigo Community Soccer said Tigo will continue to offer more community development initiatives through the flagship soccer tournament.
“Right now, we have given jerseys to more than 1,500 players around the country. We have also screened more than 3,000 people for free as regards their health status and we have donated 221 pints of blood to hospitals across four regions of Ghana. This is the good news of Tigo Community Soccer and we are very happy to bring it to GbeiGbeyise,” Nana Yaw Osei Darkwa said.
