Hundreds mark May 9 Stadium Anniversary

Accra, May 9, GNA - Hundreds of football fans engaged on a 'Memorial Walk' through the principal streets of Accra on Friday to mark the seventh anniversary of the May 9 stadium disaster.

The Walk, an initiative of Herbert Mensah, former Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko commenced at the Nima Police Station through some principal streets of Accra and terminated at the Ohene Djan Stadium where a statue has been erected in memory of the dead football fans. Mr. Mensah who was chairman of the Kokoko at the time of the disaster, evoked the painful event that claimed 126 lives and left many others injured shortly after a mid-week league match involving rivals Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko at the Ohene Djan Stadium. He said it was regrettable that a game that willed a strong unifying force claimed lives and left a scare in the heart of a soccer loving nation like Ghana.

The former Chairman accentuated the need for a collective responsibility by all to ensure such an episode never reoccurs. Mr. Mensah stated that he was convinced that laying vast emphasis on security at the stadia remains a sure way of averting another disaster. Charles Aryeh, Chief Administrator Officer (CAO) of the National Sports Council (NSC) in a message read on behalf on the Minister of Education, Science and Sports said fans had learnt their lessons from the calamity which rocked Ghana football in 2001.

He acknowledged the current improved behaviour of fans while commending club managers and their officials for their public education and outreach efforts.

Mr. Aryeh said the National Sports Council will ensure an enabling environment for the promotion and enhancement of sports business and sports tourism as well as the absolute safety of those who patronize sporting activities.

Representatives of the two Clubs read brief speeches after the Walk that drew personalities including Tony Baffoe, former member of Ghana's Black Stars and former Kotoko and Hearts German coach Ernst Middendorp into the frail. Mr. Mensah donated 100 bags of rice and 20 gallons of oil to the families of the bereaved.