Black Stars lose 2-3 to Basque
Under-12 Sports Festival committee
inaugurated
Accra (Greater Accra) 31 December 2001 - Mr Fred Osam Duodu, head coach of the senior national team, Black Stars has expressed his willingness to accept Samuel Osei Kuffour, former deputy skipper of the team, back into the provisional squad preparing for next month's African Cup of Nations in Mali.
The coach took the decision after a meeting with Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister for Youth and Sports, who briefed him on his discussion with the player on recent problems over the captaincy and preparation for the Mali tournament.
A statement signed by Mr Kofi Nsiah, General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), said the coach had accepted the player's apology in the best interest of the nation and had asked for the minister to arrange for Kuffour to join the Stars in Egypt where they are to play the Egyptian National team on Friday January 4.
In a recent interview granted to the BBC after the Skipper C.K. Akunnor was dropped from stars' squad, Kuffour, who plays for German side Bayern Munich, expressed reservations about the preparation of the team for the Mali tournament.
Coach Duodu sent him a letter seeking further clarification on his comments, which Kuffour said they were taken out of context. He said he never downplayed the capabilities of the team.
The coach did not invite the player to camp after he returned home for the winter break causing speculations that he had been dropped from the team.
It is believed that the absence of the player from the squad would affect his chances of winning the African Footballer-of-the-Year 2001 for which he has been short-listed among three others.
GRi…/
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Bilbao (Spain) 31 December 2001 - Basque Country XI beat the Black Stars 3-2 in a football friendly played last Sunday at the San Mames’ stadium in Bilbao.
Basque Country XI scored through Bolo (46th) and De Paula, (59th and 67th) minutes. Ghana got her goals through Derek Boateng (13th) and John Mensah (70th) minutes. Princeton Owusu-Ansah was shown the red card.
The Stars will fly direct to Egypt to engage the Pharaohs in their last away friendly on January 4 before returning home to play host to Benin in Accra on January 6.
GRi…/
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Under-12 Sports Festival committee
inaugurated.
Nkawie (Ashanti Region) 31 December 2001 - An 18-member Committee was inaugurated at Nkawie in the Atwima district on Friday to organise the Ashanti Region Under-12 Sports Festival. The festival, which will be held from January 5 to 12 next year will take place at Nkawie.
Inaugurating the committee, Mr Eddy Obeng-Darko, Atwima District Director of Education implored members of the committee to be dedicated and work conscientiously to ensure the success of the festival.
Mr Obeng-Darko, who is also the Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Schools and Colleges Sports Association urged them to use their enormous experience and organisational abilities to ensure that the games are held in the true spirit of sportsmanship and fair-play in order to encourage the cadet athletes to aspire for greater heights.
The District Director deplored hooliganism which was associated with some school sports festivals of late and called on the committee members to maintain strict discipline to avert any ugly incidents.
Mr F.K. Amonoo, Atwima District Sports Organiser said four sub-committees on technical, protocol, accommodation and security respectively have been formed to ensure good organisation.
He pledged the commitment of the Atwima district in ensuring that the festival is held in peace and tranquillity in order to sustain the good image and reputation of the district.
About 860 athletes and officials from the 18 districts in the Ashanti Region will take part in the festival.
Two venues, Nkawie Secondary/Technical and Toase Secondary School Parks would host the competition in football, table-tennis and netball.
GRi…/
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