President Mills commends U-17 hockey teams

Accra, March 2, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday commended the national Under-17 men and women's hockey teams for their spectacular performance at the Olympic qualifier tournament in South Africa. The men's team beat their South Africa counterparts 3-1 on penalty strokes to win the gold while the women also beat Zimbabwe 3-0 to win the bronze.

The achievement of the Ghanaian male team in the South African tournament has put Ghana on the hockey limelight as they would be the sole representative of Africa in this year's Hockey Olympics scheduled for Singapore.

President Mills congratulated the gallant men and women for making Ghana proud and said they had shown that when the people were given the opportunity they can rise to the very top.

The President gave the commendation when juvenile teams presented their trophies to him at a short ceremony at the Osu Castle in Accra. President Mills said Government would together with the management of the teams work out an appropriate package for them. He advised them to note that there was a long journey ahead of them and that it was only through discipline, humility and team play that would bring them the needed success.

President Mills condemned attempts to look down on the less fortunate in society and attempts to dislodge the game of hockey when some people wanted to put up private buildings at the hockey pitch. He observed that Ghana sports in on the ascendancy in recent times and declared that with the progress so far achieved people would very soon come to learn hockey in Ghana.

President Mills assured the team of Government's support for their participation in the Hockey Olympic in Singapore. Mr Oko Nikoi Djani, President of the National Hockey Association led the victorious members of the teams to call on the President. 02 March 10