Ambassador calls for show of sportsmanship

Accra, March 26, GNA - Prof. Yaw Safo Boafo, Ghana's Ambassador to Cote D'Ivoire has called for a show of good spectatoring and maturity during the forthcoming African Cup of Champion Clubs matches between Asec Mimosa of Abidjan and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

" I call on all stakeholders of both clubs, particularly the officials, supporters, players and all those who wish them well, not for a moment to lose sight of the strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood that have been so splendidly woven between the two neighbouring peoples by their political and cultural leaders".

Prof. Boafo said this in a Press Statement issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and copied to the GNA Sports on the upcoming football encounters between the two clubs.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko football club and Asec Mimosa club of Abidjan are scheduled to meet in football encounters in Abidjan on April 11 and subsequently in Kumasi on 25th April.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary said gone are the rare moments when lack of sportsmanship and unnecessary disagreements marred the otherwise wonderful relations, good neighbourliness and collective fellow-feeling which have become the hall mark of their existence.

Prof. Baofo said "the joy of the game for Ghana and Cote D'Voire, has traditionally consisted in the display of wits and skills and the beauty of our artistry as well as vigorous but healthy fighting spirit". He said these are therefore the significant features of football for which spectators throng the stadiums and which continue to impress Africa and the world.

The Ambassador said, " Let us endeavour to always handle the competitive urge with grace and decorum".

"Beyond the passions and tensions that characterise sporting competitions in particular, there is constantly the genuine human desire to chalk deserving victories that bestow honour on the victorious and dignity on the vanquished", he added.

He said Ghana and Cote D'Voire want to forge ahead in unity in the interest of peace, prosperity and progress and the two nations intend to avoid the pitfalls of the past and strengthen the points of convergence. Prof. Boafo said it is his hope and prayer that the impending Club Championship Cup will be played without any untoward incidents.