Sports Minister awaits report on Kotoko-Medeama fans clash
Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah wants action on violence that erupted after a league match between Asante Kotoko and Medeama in Kumasi on Wednesday.
The Week 25 encounter which ended barren was marred by nasty incidents by a cross-section of Asante Kotoko supporters, who were not enthused with the scoreline.
The fans charged at the referee Silas Okine, pelting him and his assistants with sachets of water, compelling on duty police personnel to shield them to safety. In the process, Asante Kotoko’s Richard Mpong who was targeted for missing a golden chance in the course of the game had to be rescued as well.
The incident happened on the eve of the 12th anniversary of the May 9 Stadium Disaster, that claimed 127 lives following a stampede at a league match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in Accra.
He said “I’m very sad to hear about the violence at the Kotoko versus Medeama yesterday (Wednesday). I’m not happy about the incidents.
“We are waiting for the official report from the PLB,” Afriyie-Ankrah said at a seminar to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the ‘darkest’ day in Ghana football.
The Minister said the occasion served a platform “to create awareness and to educate the public and causes of stadia disaster and how to forestall its occurrence.
“Educational programmes are also vigorously pursued to ensure that in the unlikely event that a disaster occurs, the spectators will be able to handle the situation to minimize any incidents, injuries or deaths”.
He also appealed to Supporters Unions to educate their members against the resort to violence and destruction of properties, rather “follow laid down procedures for arbitration and redress.”
On his part, Dr Prince Pambo, Medical Officer of the National Sports Authority highlighted some basic First Aid principles in case of such incidents at the stadia.
The climax of the event was the laying of wreaths at the monument of the May 9 Stadium Disaster situated at the forecourt of the Accra Sports Stadium.
In attendance were officials from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Supporters Unions and relatives of the deceased persons.
Source: GNA