Goalkeeper Abdellah receives cash award from FIFA

Dawu Youngsters Goalkeeper, Sumaila Abdellah, on Wednesday received an amount of 5,000 dollars (about 38 million cedis) as his prize for winning FIFA's fair play award last year. The money was presented to Goalkeeper Abdellah by the Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Mr. Ben Koufie at a short ceremony on behalf of FIFA at the offices of the GFA.

Presenting the money Mr Koufie said the decision of FIFA to make the presentation aimed at inspiring and encouraging other footballers to emulate the goalkeeper. He said all sportsmen must learn from Abdellah and be ready to give a helping hand when the need arises.

Mr Koufie commended Abedi Ayew Pele for reminding FIFA of Abdellah's award adding that other award winners from European countries were presented with their prize monies long ago but the Ghanaian goalkeeper was forgotten until the intervention of Abedi Pele.

The GFA boss urged Abdellah to make a judicious use of the money to benefit him in future. Goalkeeper Abdellah expressed his appreciation to the GFA chairman and FIFA for appreciating his efforts. Sumaila Abdellah in December last year received a certificate at the FIFA awards night for winning the organisation's fair play award in Switzerland.

His award followed a mouth-to-mouth resuscitation he gave to a player of Hearts of Oak, Charles Taylor, when he collapsed during a league match at the Accra Sports Stadium.