Sports
No lessons learnt from gory May 9!
Twenty years ago, something tragic happened to the nation’s football. It was the May 9 Accra Sports Stadium Disaster which claimed 127 lives in cold blood.
Ghana stood motionless. Africa was petrified. The world was shell-shocked. It was the continent’s worst sporting calamity, and the second largest to be recorded in the world after the riots at the Estadio Nacional in Peru where 328 lives perished in 1964.
The horrendous May 9, 2001 disaster occurred when fans of Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko had poured out in their numbers to watch their idol clubs slot it out in a titanic Premier League game. Three precious points and bragging rights were at stake.
Sadly, what was expected to be an eye-pleasing, memorable exhibition of deluxe football, turned out to be an unspeakable evening of horror.
Disgruntled at the decision of Referee Joseph Wilson Sey for allowing what they perceived was an offside goal by Hearts’ Ishmael Addo in the 81st minute, Kotoko fans peeled off some of the plastic chairs and hurled them onto the pitch.
Other objects were also flung from all directions onto the turf in disapproval of the supposed winning goal.
The response from the police was swift but brutal as they fired several cans of tear gas canisters and rubber bullets into the crowd in a bid to disperse them. The action created a ‘fatal’ stampede, culminating in the death of the fans who were trying to escape through a rather narrow exit.
On the ground, laid innocent lives whose only crime was deciding to come to the stadium and watch their pet clubs in action. Up till today, the disaster is still gruesomely etched on the memory of millions of Ghanaians, especially those who lost their loved ones – as well as fans who witnessed the heart-rending event on that bloody Wednesday night.
Later, a bronze statue was erected outside the stadium – depicting a fan carrying another fan to safety with the inscription: “I am My Brother’s Keeper,” in honour of the victims of the tragedy.
It is a sad commentary that the pitiable statue and its inscriptions had done nothing to change the mindset of football fans.
One may have thought that bitter lessons would be gleaned from that pathetic incident – and expectedly, clubs and their fans will never ever do anything to trigger another disaster of a sort.
Wrong! Incredibly, the football centres have since witnessed countless number of violent scenes – some resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.
In certain situations, referees are attacked and beaten to pulp – apparently for perceived biased officiating; players and their officials have not also been spared the hooligans in the heat of such violence.
In a desperate bid to bring the harrowing situation under control, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has over the years instituted measures like banning, suspending and currently demoting referees whose action on the pitch could potentially trigger mayhem or bring the game into disrepute. Great move, but some of these match officials still do not appear bothered by the severe sanctions.
Indeed, the FA is doing its damnedest to bring some sanity into the game, but they would have to do more with regard to ‘caging’ miscreants who are happy taking the law into the their own hands.
The police have also not taken any lessons from the Accra incident. Only last year, a police officer shot rubber bullets into an angry crowd at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi – during a premiership game between Kotoko and Berekum Chelsea, injuring one of the fans in the eye.
In marking the 20th anniversary of the May 9 Disaster last Sunday, Minister of Youth and Sports (MoYS), Mustapha Ussif, said that the greatest tribute Ghanaians could offer the departed ones was to ensure such tragedy was not repeated – entreating fans to be disciplined when at match venues.
There has been similar admonitions from past sports ministers and FA presidents, but nothing seemed to have changed really.
Is it not dumbfounding that even on the day that the nation was marking this heavy-hearted anniversary, there was a spate of violence at the a premiership game between Ebusua Dwarfs and Legon Cities at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium? The match had to end abruptly because the referee claimed he did not feel safe continuing the game, owing to threats from home fans.
Clearly, it tells you that we are missing it. Admonitions will not fix it; weeks of prayer and fasting would not either. We know what to do to bring the situation under some control, but we all seem to be playing the ostrich.
Our football officials and especially club administrators know where these hooligans are. And, we all know that sometimes, they engage them to do the ‘dirty’ jobs for them at match venues and assure them of maximum protection.
It is the reason you find these miscreants walking scot-free and threatening more mayhem – barely 24 hours after they had been picked up at the stadium for rowdyism.
A police constable, who pleaded anonymity, told this writer how his boss ordered him in February, this year, to release three suspects involved in stadium violence at the Nduom Sports Stadium in Elmina. There are many others.
In any serious jurisdiction, those home fans – who allegedly stormed the field to attack referee Eric Owusu Bempah after their team slumped 1-2 to Medeama SC in a premiership tie, would have been charged to face the full rigours of the law. But this is Ghana where we can talk the whole day about hooliganism and its effect on football development, yet do little to stop the carnage.
We do not need anybody to remind us that this so-called fight against hooliganism or stadium violence will continue to boomerang in our faces until we decide to face it head-on.
The pretence appears to be too much – and that is where the problem lies!
PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH
Sports
Sports Ministry, PGA Ghana to roll out ‘Golf-in-School’ programme
The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, says his sector is ready to leverage golf as a tool for sports development and environmental consciousness in the country.
In his view, a sport like golf must be given the needed attention because of its potential to enhance development and boost economic benefits to the youth.
Mr Adams gave the remark when he received a delegation from the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), Ghana.
The team was led by its president, Mr Hans De Beer and accompanied by other top officials.
At the heart of the meeting was a shared commitment to reposition golf, most importantly professional golf as a powerful tool not only for sporting excellence but also for promoting ecological awareness and social inclusion.
Mr Adams acknowledged the current collaboration between the ministry and the PGA and acknowledged PGA’s recognition of the Ministry’s support for both amateur and professional golf in Ghana.
He stated that sports development cannot thrive in isolation and requires strong partnerships, visionary planning, and collective action, emphasising the importance of golf in promoting discipline, strategy, and respect for nature.
According to the Sports Minister, every golfer becomes an advocate for the environment, adding that “it is time to introduce golf in schools. This initiative would nurture young minds to value green spaces while embracing a sport that has enormous potential for tourism, health, and character development.”
He assured the PGA team that their collaboration would move beyond dialogue into action, with plans to develop golf-in-schools programmes, roll out climate-awareness campaigns, and engage communities across regions in growing the game.
That vision, he said aligns with the country’s efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation.
“By introducing golf-in-schools, it would instill values of discipline, hard work, and respect for nature in young people. The planned golf-in-schools programmes would not only promote the sport but also provide opportunities for young people to develop important life skills,” Mr Adams who doubles as a Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency stated.
Responding, Mr De Beer, expressed their gratitude for the sports Minister’s support and commitment to developing golf in Ghana and also welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the Ministry and contribute to the growth of the sport in the country.
The meeting marked the beginning of a long-term partnership between the Ministry and the PGA to strengthen golf in Ghana and build a legacy that connects sport with sustainability.
Other PGA executive members who were present at the meeting include: Alhaji Ahmed Padori, Vice President, Tournament Director, Eric Henaku, Assistant Tournament Director, Francis Torgah, Emos Kwablah a senior member and Secretary of the Ladies’ Professional Golfers of Ghana Mercy Werner
By Spectator Reporter
Sports
Neequaye’s GBA exit …What might have caused it?
AN announcement from the communication team of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) informing stakeholders about the resignation of its president, Mr Abraham Kotei Neequaye has got fans thinking.
The resignation in itself is not a big issue.
Fact is, under the current circumstances, it may seem the best decision by Mr Neequaye who has supervised the most tumultuous boxing era in Ghana.
That is not to suggest that previous leaders of the association were saints; however, the level of acrimony under this administration is unprecedented.
Lucky to have witnessed the era of Mr Nii Quaye Mensah, Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning, Mr Samir Captan, Mr Peter Zwennes; one can confidently say the scene has never been that electric.
But what exists now is nothing short of a life in the boxing ring.
Wednesday’s announcement of an indication to resign yesterday (Friday, June 27) also got a few tongues wiggling with the timing.
Seeming to have brave the odds to such a crucial time that the association was preparing for its Elective Congress to put in place a new executive team; and Neequaye himself sounding confident of retaining his seat for another term, only to drop his guard last minute clearly suggests that there is more beyond what the eye can see.
Evidently, there is fire on the GBA’s corridors of power.
He has cited personal reasons for the decision but that has also sent journalists on a wild goose chase, finding anything available that is related to boxing to connect.
It has also left the Pandora’s Box opened with all manner of reasons flying around the media space.
A section of the media have tried to link the decision to findings and recommendation by a ministerial committee formed to probe the circumstances under which a Nigerian boxer died in Ghana during a fight sanctioned by the GBA.
Others are of the opinion that the embattled GBA boss was only trying to face the realities of the time.
This has come from a school of thought that he has realised he stands no chance in the impending election due to the bad blood between him and a huge number of stakeholders of the sport.
A few have managed to introduce some political theatrics into the Neequaye resignation drama, citing tensions between him and some party big wigs including the Minister of Sports and Recreation.
These are interesting times for the boxing fraternity.
But it’s amazing how time flies and how a lot of things can change with time.
Four or so years ago when Mr Peter Zwennes decided to step down as GBA boss, Neequaye was deemed the Messiah to take the sport to a new level.
He gained the support of these stakeholders who have become sworn enemies and was able to win against some heavyweights including a former promoter, Mr Henry Manly Spain.
The coaches, promoters, boxers, referees and other identifiable groups sang his praise but how all of these changed in less than a year remains a mystery.
Just after a year, key members of his executives confided in friends about contesting their president who they claimed to be going ‘out of order.’
Aside the verbal exchanges, other issues have gone to court for interpretation but all these moves are yet to restore peace and sanity in the GBA.
Stakeholders planning to shock Neequaye at the polls may be left stunned by the decision to bow out at the 11th round.
It is the hope of all that the next elected president can restore the peace and unity the GBA enjoyed and bring the stakeholders together.
But, however one looks at it, the history of the GBA would be incomplete without the strides of Neequaye whose tenure replicated the Foh-Amoaning’s Mortein Boxing League with what came to be known as the Imax Boxing League which also came with its own stories and challenges to promoters.
By Andrew Nortey
