Massive welcome for South African contingent

Tamale, Jan. 19, Enthusiastic crowd in the Tamale Metropolis on Saturday thronged the Tamale Airport to welcome the South African contingent to the region to participate in the Ghana 2008.
There was a rush by the crowd and some journalists to catch a glimpse of the players and their officials when the Interlink Airlines, a South African Airliner touched the tarmac at about 1813 hours. This is the first time an International Airline had touched the grounds of the airport and it was not surprising to see the crowd jumping in jubilation when the big aircraft came to halt.
The uproar became greater when the players and officials came down one after the other and moved towards the arrival hall for Immigration procedures, an indication that Tamale residents had given their unflinching support to the South African team.
Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), who met the team on arrival expressed joy that at long last, the Tamale Airport had come to be accepted as the second international airport in Ghana.
The District Chief Executives for the East Gonja, Mr. Amadu Musah Abudu, Nanumba North, Mr. Salifu Saeed, Sawla-Tuna-Kalba and Mr. James Kipo Sunyehzi in the Northern Region as well as Mr. Emmanuel Sin-nyet Asigri, DCE for Garu-Tempane in the Upper East were there to witness the historic event.
Though it was almost dark, the crowd waved at the players as they entered the Inter City STC bus, which conveyed them to their hotel.
The immigration officers at the airport extended the Ghanaian hospitality to the players and their officials as they gave them a nice treatment in the presence of their regional commander, the MCE and the other DCEs.
Mr. Carlos Perrera, head coach of the South African National Team told journalists on arrival at the Tamale Airport that the team had prepared adequately for the 2010 world cup and expressed the hope that the Africa cup would not elude them.
He expressed satisfaction about the warm reception accorded them by the people of Tamale and appealed to them to rally behind the team to annex victories in their matches since the team was solid. Earlier, Mr. Tulani Mpthemi, Press Secretary to the South African High Commission indicated that the kind of reception that South Africa was receiving from the people of Tamale was a proof of the good relations between Ghana and his country.
He said South Africa was fully behind the tournament being hosted in Ghana and the selection of Tamale as host city saying, "The people of Tamale had justified their inclusion and we would forever remember Tamale in South Africa." The arrival of South Africa brings to three nations after Tunisia and Angola who arrived earlier and it is left with Senegal, which is also expected in Tamale. 19 Jan. 08