Soccer News of Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Source: GFA

Clubs to wear black arm bands to mourn Mills

The Ghana Football Association wishes to express its deep sorrow following the death of the country's President John Evans Atta Mills.

On behalf of the football family, we extend our condolences to his wife, his family and the people of Ghana for this big blow.

This agonizing loss will be felt by all football-loving people of Ghana as President Mills was an ardent football fan.

He served his country diligently in football as he was once the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee and also a board chairman of Accra Hearts of Oak.

When a country loses its leader there is no greater pain let alone the man who was the leader of the country when Ghana won Africa's first U-20 World Cup in 2009.

President Mills was also a key supporter of the Black Stars as they reached the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

His deep interest in the game was once again demonstrated just last month when the floodlights went off during the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in Kumasi.

He personally phoned the GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi to express his concern about the sudden failure of the floodlights during the game.

Such is his contribution to the game in Ghana that the GFA is profoundly affected by President Mills' sudden demise.

Accordingly as a sign of respect and in honour of the memory our departed President, the GFA has decided to postpone the final of this year's MTN FA Cup final match between AshantiGold and New Edubiase which was scheduled to be played on Sunday.

We have further directed all clubs in the country to wear black armbands during football games in the next one week.

May God welcome this great servant of Ghana and give him the reward he deserves for his service.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Signed: Kwesi Nyantakyi President Ghana Football Association