National Handball stars dies in Italy

Accra, Nov 28, GNA - Robert Nii Afo Ankrah, member of the National Handball Team, the Black Hands and a member of the bronze winning squad of the 1999 All Africa Games held in South Africa is reported dead in Italy.

Nii Afo Ankrah who has been based in Italy for the past three years, according to information reaching the GNA Sports from the Coalition of Ghanaian Residents in Italy (COGNI) died on November 10, at the Anthonio Cardirreli Hospital, Napoli - Italy after a short illness. He was 23.

According to the report, the national player would be laid to rest on Saturday, December 1, at the San Giovanni Cemetary in Napoli. Nii Afo Ankrah until his untimely departure began his professional career with Hostac Handball Club in Accra featuring prominently in the local handball league.

He later gained a call-up into the National Junior Handball Team and participated in the 1997 African Junior Championship, held in Nigeria. Nii Afo Ankrah was later called into the senior team, the Black Hands and featured alongside other national players like Christian Osei Yaw, Richard Ankrah and Alex Asare.

He was a member of the team which won a bronze medal in the All African Games hosted by South Africa in 1999. The Ghanaian later joined Atande Handball Club of Togo, before joining the exodus train in 2004.

His death, according to the information has been greeted with great shock from the Ghanaian community in Italy. Ms Ruth Addy of the Ghanaian Consulate office in Napoli said "The Consulate and the Ghanaian community are shattered by such an untimely death.

"On their behalf, I wish to convey our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones, and express all our support at this painful time". 28 Nov. 07