MPs to play for Black Stars

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - Members of Parliament will on Saturday, September 3 discard their legislative garbs and line up to play football to raise funds in support the Black Stars' quest for a 2006 World Cup berth.

The lawmakers will participate in an elite gala competition put together by the Fountain of Youth Association (FYA) in collaboration with the National Youth Council (NYC) and the Association of Sports Broadcasters of Ghana (ASBOG) scheduled for the El Wak Sports Stadium. A release from the FYA secretariat signed by its president, Prince Nana Boateng indicated that invitations had been sent to other organisations including Ghana Telecom, Media XI, Scancom, Guinness Ghana Limited, Coca Cola, Old Stars and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel to participate in the gala.

Pro Credit, Unique Trust Financial Services, Bamson Company Limited, Accra Brewery, Golden Tulip Hotel, Japan Motors and Fan Milk Ghana Limited have also been invited.

The release called for financial, moral and spiritual support from all Ghanaians, no matter where they are, "to motivate the Black Stars to fulfil the practical manifestation of the recent declaration of OPERATION SIX POINTS by His Excellency the president, John Adjekum Kufuor."

It advised corporate organisations to take advantage of the event to sell and or exhibit their products at the venue. Recently, Ghanaians from all walks of life have been supporting the Black Stars, who top Group Two with two matches remaining, to ensure they qualify for the World Cup for the very first time.

Just a fortnight ago, highlife music ace, Amarkye Dede commenced a weekly concert at his pub, Abrantie Spot to raise funds in support of the team.

The Black Stars host Uganda next month before journeying to Cape Verde for the anchor leg in the series. Tied on 15 points with South Africa, but with a superior head to head record, Ghana remains the favourites in the group, which also includes Congo DR, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Uganda.