USE FOOTBALL TO PROMOTE UNITY (NSEMPA, NOV 29, 2010, BACK PAGE)

By Samuel Duodu, Bechem

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tano South District in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Zakari Bukari Anaba, has called on football loving fans in the district and the region to use the game to promote unity and peace, instead of using it to create enmity and perpetuate violence, which does not augur well for the development of the game in the region.
Mr Anaba cited the recent violence that broke out during a division one middle league match between Bechem United and B.A. Stars at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park at Bechem, the district capital, as an example.
He said the game was for fun and not to make enemies and therefore, urged fans to learn how to accept defeat when their teams lost a match.
Mr Anaba said this when he donated 12 sets of Jerseys, 12 footballs, three volley balls, whistles and three trophies worth Gh¢9,000 for the hosting of the 28th Annual  Inter Basic Schools Games Competition at Bechem on Wednesday.
The donation of the items coincided with the opening of the games at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour’s Park. About 90 Basic Schools from four circuits in the district, namely Bechem Circuits ‘A’ and ‘B’, Techimantia and Dermaa Circuits which comprise of Junior High Schools (JHSs) and Primary Schools from both public and some private schools are taking part in the three-day competition.
Among the games to be competed for are football, volleyball, handball and netball.
Mr Anaba, in his address, said the gesture from the District Assembly was to support other curricular activities such as sports, since it was another way of developing and unearthing the talents of the youth to help them contribute their quota towards national development.
He said the sports equipment was for distribution as prizes to the various schools that would emerge winners in each of the circuits and commended the organisers of the games while urging the various competing schools to comport themselves during the games.
The DCE advised the pupils and students to see the games as one for fun and not to create violence, saying in every competition, there would be winners and losers and all must accept the outcome whether they won or lost.
Mr. Anaba gave the assurance that the government would continue to provide the necessary infrastructure, teaching and learning materials to enhance teaching and learning in the schools in the district and the region..
The District Director of Education, Mrs Mary Gyimah, who received the sports equipment, thanked the DCE and the assembly for the support, saying it would go a long way to boost the morale of the various participating schools.
She called for more support in terms of the provision of classrooms to eradicate schools under trees in the district.