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Soccer News of Monday, 15 September 2003

Source: d. kyere~duah (stugard) ~ space 87.7 fm

Danger Looms At Berekum Park

That Black Wednesday, May 9 2001 seems to have offered no lessons to the stakeholders of Ghana football.

I have been compelled to revisit this subject as a result of a nasty incident that occurred yesterday when Kotoko played as guests to Arsenal, and more importantly the seemingly lack of concern by the stakeholders since I first broke the story four months ago.

The beauty of the crucial encounter was nearly marred before the kick-off yesterday when one of the stands carrying about 120 spectators collapsed. It is refreshing that no serious casualties were recorded, see pictures.

This is about the forth time that stands have collapsed at the park this season. It would be recalled that a similar incident occurred when Arsenal hosted King Faisal this season. On that occasion, serious injuries were recorded.

A visit to Berekum Park would depict dilapidated wooden structures used as stands by spectators. These structures could better be described as death traps rather than stands for spectators.

The writer does not want to sound as a prophet of doom but the painful truth is that if nothing is done immediately, one should expect nothing but a catastrophe!

Somebody must act now. A stitch in time they say saves nine!

On the match itself, veteran Joe Otchere scored the only goal of the match for Kotoko on the 76th minute.