Willie Klutse calls for support for Black Stars

Accra, June 15, GNA - Willie Klutse, former captain of the national soccer team, the Black Stars has called on Ghanaians to rally solidly behind the team to enable them qualify for 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He said the recent successes chalked by the Stars in their qualifying matches attest to the fact that they were in for business and that with little support they can make the nation proud by qualifying for the event and also win the ultimate or place a better position. Willie Klutse was speaking when 'Kick Malaria Out of Africa', an NGO championing the cause of Malaria eradication through Sports, called on him to honour him the title of an "Ambassador" of the project, in Accra on Monday.

The former player who captained the Black Stars to win the 1978 African Cup of Nations held in Ghana, advised the players to be more united and play together as a team and that with prayers and dedication they would be able to fly high the national flag. He advised nursing mothers to patronize the treated mosquito nets, which he noted was the safest way of protecting their babies against the disease.

Mr Kwabena Osei Bonsu, Chief Executive of the NGO praised the former Black Stars for the leadership role they played adding, that "the light they lit is still burning".

He advised all to observe environmental cleanliness at all times especially at this time when the rains have just set in which is the time of breeding of mosquitoes.