Guinness gives to Stars

Accra, June 17, GNA - Guinness Ghana Limited on Thursday presented 100 million cedis to the senior national team the Black Stars to help them in their preparations towards the World Cup qualifying match against Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The company has in addition promised to donate another 100 million cedis to the team as winning bonus if they emerge victorious in the match.

Mr Delvin Hainsworth, Managing Director of the company who made the donation said it is important for the company to continue to support the team in their quest to qualify for the 2006 World Cup that is scheduled for Germany.

He said "It is our believe that the Stars will shine on Sunday and make the Nation proud so as to enhance their chances of going to the World Cup stage where the nation really belongs."

Mr Hainsworth added that said the company would continue to support the Black Stars since the whole of Ghana has a burning passion for victory and success in the beautiful game of football.

He said it is in support of this burning passion that Guinness Ghana, as official sponsor continues to motivate the Black Stars.

The Managing Director said, "We firmly believe that come this Sunday, the nation will see a powerful performance. You will shine like stars and make the nation proud and as you go into battle against the Bafana Bafana, remember that Ghana and Guinness are behind you all the way".

Skipper Stephen Appiah who received the cheque on behalf of his colleagues thanked the company for supporting the efforts of the team and apologised for losing their match against Burkina Faso and gave the assurance that they would defeat the South Africans on Sunday.

He said, "We have put the loss against Burkina Faso behind us and we will go all out to defeat the South Africans on Sunday."

It would be recalled that barely a fortnight ago, Guinness made a similar presentation to the Black Stars as they prepared for their World Cup qualifying match against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou which they lost by a narrow 1-0 score-line. 17 June 04