SWAG appeals to Mahama over hockey pitch renaming

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has appealed to President John  Mahama to get the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to reverse its decision to re-name the National Hockey Pitch after late President, John Evans Atta Mills.

A statement signed by the president, Ackah Anthony said the sudden change in name of the stadium from Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium to John Evans Attah Mills Hockey Stadium smacked of disrespect to Mrs Okoh.

It said the AMA and its leadership seem to have little knowledge about the history and development of hockey in the country hence the sudden decision and therefore stressed the need for its immediate reversal.

It said though the Association recognized the contribution of the late president to the development of Hockey in Ghana, as well as his personal efforts in the construction of the modern facility, it was convinced the late president would never have consented to the change in name if he was alive as a matter of principle.

It described the decision as a dent on the one year celebration of the late president’s legacy, since the issue had stirred unnecessary bad feelings.

“At a time when we should be reminding ourselves about the achievements of the late president in both politics and sports, the AMA, through its action has marred the celebration with its unpopular decision,” the statement added.

The statement urged President Mahama to quickly intervene to save the good name of the late Mills.

The AMA early this week renamed the National Hockey Stadium after late President Mills.

The stadium was named after Mrs Theodosia Okoh by the former government in recognition of her contribution to the development and promotion of hockey in particular and sports in general in the country.

Source: GNA