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Playing games with COVID-19

Government’s revealingly resolute fight against COVID-19 appears to be an exercise in futility. Yes, so it seems!

You want to know why? Ok, wait a minute.  Just relax!

Today, it is not uncommon to see football parks and fields bustling in the mornings especially – with gross disregard for social distancing.  In many fields that one visited at Accra’s suburbs – Teshie and Nungua in particular, young footballers under the supervision of their coaches, were seen busily training with players being shoved off the ball by their colleagues in fierce challenge for possession.

Questions that freely flooded the mind were: have these players and their coaches heard of the noxious coronavirus (COVID-19); are they aware of how fatal the virus is and the tens of thousands that have perished from it?

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Are they aware there is still a ban on social gathering? Are they aware all sporting activities, at least in the country, have been put on ice till further notice? Do they know they could spread the virus or contract it – depending on their current status?

Indeed, there are loads of ‘64,000-dollar questions’ that are edgily begging for responses – quick responses.

Whilst watching from afar as some of these boys train, a couple of police officers drove pass, only stealing glances from the window of their vehicles. Again, one quizzed; why were the police not interested in the gross violation of the President’s directive? Are they tired of performing their duties?

As of Wednesday, 7,117 people in Ghana have been infected by the virus with 2,317 recoveries and 34 deaths. Of course, the fatality ratio may be relatively insignificant, but we are certainly nowhere out of the woods. We are neck-deep in it!

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Perhaps, we ought to remind everybody that it is now an offence to breach the COVID-19 safety protocols. It is even now a crime to walk into the public space without wearing a face mask.  Not so?

Indeed, quite a significant number of people are flouting the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1020) with glee and impunity; and this is the primary legal instrument in the government of Ghana’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The police, though, has made some good number of arrests. Others, too, have been prosecuted and jailed or fined. Sadly, it has not proven to serve as enough deterrence.  Clearly, they (police) have got to do more!

It has been rumoured that the President is likely to relax the restrictions on COVID-19 this weekend, which ultimately means football and other sport disciplines could be navigating their way into action.

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As a matter of fact, other countries like Germany have ushered home their football. The Bundesliga, the elite German league, restarted a fortnight ago, albeit it was held in an empty stadium.

However, until such time that the ban is lifted on mass gathering; it would be advisable for our young footballers and sports people to exercise restraint in their daily endeavours – especially with regard to training en mass.

At best, they can train individually at home, for now. Let us not take things for granted even if we are being told that COVID-19 has come to live with us.

PlainTalk with JOHN VIGAH

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Sports

A walk to honour memory of late Nana Kwesi Gyan-Apenteng

A section of the participants stretching during the aerobic session
A section of the participants stretching during the aerobic session

A rare occasion to stay away from the air-conditioned offices, screens and other work demands was presented to journalists and staff of MTN on Saturday when they hit the streets of the capital for its an­nual health walk.

The participants who form the MTN Media Republic walked and worked out, climaxing it with an intense aerobic session. The entire exercise lasted for close to three hours.

The exercise is held bi-yearly for members of the Republic to make time out of their hectic schedules.

Saturday’s edition had the numbers in hundreds and was dedicated to the memory of a late member of the Republic, Nana Kwesi Gyan-Apenteng, a former Editor, National Media Commission chairman and a Communication Consultant.

He was the Apagyahene of Tafo Eti in the Eastern Region.

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Under a decent weather, the members walked from the MTN Ghana office near Ridge and passed through areas such as the National Theatre, Minis­tries Police Sta­tion, Accra Sports Stadium, State House, and Police Headquarters and back to the starting point.

In separate interviews, mem­bers welcomed the initiative and called for its sustenance while paying tribute to the late member who showed loyalty and commitment to the group’s activities.

 By Spectator Reporter

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 A final determined by Adaari?

Fiifi Parker Hanson

 Analysing an Asante Kotoko goal or penalty with a Phobian lense. It would surely be an exercise in futility. This is because no explanation would sound convincing to a Phobian.

That is an apt description of the scene witnessed after a controversial penalty was awarded Asante Kotoko late in their MTN FA Cup win over Division One League (DOL) side, Golden Kick last Sunday.

That is not to say that fans of the Oak tree are not reasonable, no, far from that; but followers of the game in Ghana would appreciate this analogy, owing to the huge rivalry that exists between them.

Let it also be on record that a few Red fans also expressed reservations over the decision.

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Surrounded by numerous Golden Kick fans most of whom were genuine supporters of Hearts of Oak, bitter rivals of Asante Kotoko, referee Latif Abdul Adaari’s decision generated so much debates between them and the Reds faithful.

Interestingly, supporters put up sound arguments with different angles of the action that led to the penalty. Some shared the same videos but saw them differently.

But without a Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Adaari’s decision stood and Kotoko smiled home with a 10th FA Cup victory.

Had there been a VAR intervention, leading to a review and subsequent overturn of the decision, Kotoko fans would have definitely been up in arms, protesting vehemently like the Golden Kick disguised fans did.

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But that is the beauty of football; momentarily dividing and the next moment uniting.

But for the controversy which is ongoing, Sunday’s game was by far the finest in the FA Cup finals witnessed in the last decade.

Kotoko were overwhelming favourites and Golden Kick massive underdogs.

However, the winners would be the first to admit that they were involved in a game of their lives.

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Coach Karim Zito did not hide this fact. In a post-match interview, he stated “I am not surprised at all. I actually predicted it because it would have been better and more comfortable with a top division side. This is a DOL side with nothing to lose. Getting to the finals of the FA Cup is already an achievement. Playing Kotoko is another motivation. They have nothing to lose but have all to gain if they win.”

But in celebrating Kotoko, it is equally important to commend the effort of the Golden Kick side for their gallantry.

They proved that the class between the GPL and DOL is only vast on paper but slender on the pitch.

The likes of Kelvin Kofi Saaba, Roland Gripman, Owusu Dacosta, Paul Yeboah, Abdulai Zakari and Bless Ege clearly outshone their more experienced Kotoko stars.

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Their pace, athleticism, control, dexterity and composure were superb, forcing the Porcupine Warriors to be unnecessarily physical to contain them.

While brooding over a lost opportunity to lay hand on a major silverware, Coach Fiifi Parker Hanson should feel worthy about the good work he is doing with this young generation of talents.

\He may have been undone by a contentious decision but what was seen from his charges will remain in the memory of football fans for a long time.

But the debate as to whether Adaari’s call was precise or erroneous would continue for a long time without answer

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 By Andrew Nortey

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