Satellites given spiritual backing at SWAG Awards

Ghana’s youth football team, the Black Satellites, have received a psychological boost to overcome their challenges at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup currently taking place in Turkey.

The 38th edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana Awards crowned several athletes and other illustrious personalities on Saturday, June 29, 2013. However, a particular announcement received huge applauds from all guests at the Banquet Hall in Accra: the qualification of the Ghana U-20 national football team in the Last 16 of the on-going 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Having lost to France and Spain in their first two group games, the Ghanaians were under pressure to record a huge victory against the United States last week. A 4-1 triumph helped Sellas Tetteh’s young men to hit three points with a nil goal difference.

The destiny of the Black Satellites became a matter of complicated mathematics. It all came down to the result between Egypt and England and the perfect score line fell on Saturday evening as the Egyptians stunned the English 2-0 – thus sending Ghana to the next stage as one of the four best third-placed teams. Commenting on the feat of the Satellites was Ghana’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, whose arrival at the SWAG Awards was delayed due to administrational work linked to the team’s fate in Turkey.

“We are happy that the Satellites have won. And we believe that as they've won, they have gone to the next round and they will go all the way to the end,” the minister declared during the closing moments of his speech.

“I will charge them that they should open the tournament and close the tournament – so it’s nothing but the final.”

His declarations then took a higher tone, injecting thrill and momentum in the atmosphere of the Banquet Hall in Accra.

“The whole of Ghana is behind them. The spirit of Atta Mills is behind them. The spirit of J.J. Rawlings is behind them. The spirit of Kuffour is behind them. The spirit of Osajefo [Kwame Nkrumah] is behind them. The spirit of J. Dramani Mahama, the spirit of all Ghanaians is behind all our teams, all our athletes!” Finally, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah addressed himself to all citizens as well as professionals in the sports industry, stating:

“Let us know that in whatever we do, we want to raise the bar of Ghana.” Ghana U20 will meet Portugal U20 in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, July 3. The Iberian contenders are believed to be the strongest team at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Bruma and Aladje leading the Portuguese attack. The two strikers have scored eight between them already. The task ahead of the Ghanaians is a daunting one.