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Sports Features of Monday, 23 June 2003

Source: Nii on SIL

"Juju" In Hockey Too ?

Ladies and gentlemen, I am writing with a lot of grief and sadness. I was at the Accra Hockey pitch on saturday to watch a match between the Trustees of SSNIT and Exchequers of Bank of Ghana on the 21/06/03 and to my surprise when the Bank of Ghana Bus was about to enter the Pitch someone came out of the Bus and started sprinkling some black substance and some liquid.

They even went on sprinkling untill their bus stopped for the players to alight, then some of the players poured some of the liquid content over their heads. Some players had white cloth tied around their wrists. I am still talking about the Exchequers players, some were reciting somethings on the lips.

When the Trustees came to the premisses, they were not allowed to use the gate that was infront of the sitting area. They were asked to go round the other end.

As we all know these 'Juju' stuff always wants takes it's toll, Incidents that happened after the match according to regular spectator had never happened at the Hockey Pitch before. They several pocket of fans and official in various fights here and there. An official of Exchequers even went to the extent of beating and teenage boy with a hockey stick which infuriated some fans and they threatened to beat this official.

While some were angry over officiating of the match others were settling score over other incidents that had occured earlier.

I wish to emplore the Greater Accra Hockey Association to react or act to this since this was a disgrace to Ghana sports and Hockey. As it is claimed, if they want to promote public interest of the game then, They shd first of all ban this act of sprinkling stuff on the hockey pitch and other acts of provocation so that what occured on lsat saturday would never occur again.

If we are being asked to come and watch Hockey and we have hop and jump over spiritual objects and concoctions then God only knows what we might be taking to our homes.

No wonder when our teams go out of the country they are beaten disgracefully because our player rely on Juju or bad officiating to win matches and League titles, therefore when they go to a neutral ground where neither their JUJU nor favorite officials are, they fail miserably.

If the official and Ghana as a whole want this Game to go far then they should sit up and kick out these practices out of our sports. If not ........ then God help our souls.