Accra, March 1, GNA - The Minister for Youth and Sports, Ms Akua Sena Dansua has sent congratulatory message to the playing body of the national Under-17 hockey team, its technical and management team for their splendid performance to qualify for the Singapore Hockey Olympics.

Ms Dansua said the splendid performance put up by both the male and female teams at the qualifying competition in South Africa was commendable. The national U-17 male team picked the sole ticket to the maiden Youth Hockey Olympics to be held in Singapore in August this year after they beat host country South Africa 3-1 while the ladies whacked their Zimbabwean counterparts 3-0 to pick the bronze medal at East London, South Africa. The Minister in a congratulatory message sent on behalf of President Mills, the Government and people, copied to GNA Sports, referred to the qualification "to this admirable stage of the competition, which is appreciated by all our compatriots throughout the world". "Indeed your success is a cause for commendation and delight and an indication of the excellent quality of hockey that the world should expect from you at the Olympic Games".

Ms Dansua assured the team of the continued support and fervent prayers of the entire sports loving people of the country "now that you have moved from this hurdle to participate in the Singapore Hockey Olympics in your unstoppable cause to add to Ghana's glory". The Minister added "Ghanaians have full confidence in your apparent unconquerable will and your dedication to duty, as well as your love for your country which has seen you through to the very top of competition to capture Africa's only slot to the Hockey Olympics". "We can from now on always look forward to welcoming a triumphant team back home from international competitions," she added. 01 March 10