Kudjo Fianoo, the Chairman of the Ghana League Clubs Association, has lauded Plan B FM for organising an inter-community football tournament to revive the dead sports in Tema.
The move by the Tema-based commercial radio station, Mr. Fianoo said, would put Tema back on Ghana’s football map, as it was in the past, when the Harbour City provided the various national teams with quality footballers.
“Today, Tema can’t give the nation players like Sebastian Barnes, Daniel Addo, CK Akunnor, Robert Mensah, Shamo Quaye and Ablade Kumah. The reason is very simple: Football in Tema is dead.
“I am heartbroken to say that this Tema which used to churn out fine footballers doesn’t have any Division One football club,”
Kudjo Fianoo, the Special Guest, said in Twi at the third launching of the Plan B inter-community football game at the forecourt of the media house, Tema Community Three.
Football, he said, is now lucrative employment and he encouraged all the thirty-two teams that would participate in the game which would open on August 17 and close on September 8, to work hard to pursue it as a career.
“The rules of the game are clear. If you want to go far as a footballer, work hard, follow the rules of the game and be disciplined,” he advised the teams that would participate in the game, which would be hosted at the Nii Adjei Kraku II AstroTurf Sports Complex, Tema New Town.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Martin Asare Ani-Adjei, the CEO of Plan B FM, said the inter-community football tournament has come to stay to redefine football in Tema.
“The first edition was held at the Tema Sports Stadium. The second was held at the Mexico Sports Complex. This third one is going to Tema New Town and we are confident that just as the previous editions were a success, this one too will be,” Dr Ani-Adjei said.
He explained that Plan B settled on football because it is the passion of the nation as it bonds all political, tribal and religious fronts.
“However, this passion needs to be invested in and I can promise you (Tema) that Plan B will do its best to keep this annual tournament. We welcome other partners too,” he noted.
The CEO encouraged all the participants and all footballers to take their career seriously because of the long-term benefits.
In his conclusion, he assured all the participants of consolation prizes aside from the winning prizes for the first three–a golden trophy, medals and cash prize for the ultimate winner; silver trophy, medals and cash for the penultimate team and bronze medal for the antepenultimate team.
As football scouts would be at the venue, Dr Ani-Adjei encouraged the teams to put in their best.
Plan B FM transmits on 104.5Mgh and it would run live commentary on the tournament.
