Nyantakyi to attend President Mills' funeral

Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi will attend the funeral and burial service of Ghana's late President John Evans Atta Mills after arriving in the country Thursday.

This follows his decision to pull out of the Olympic Games in London following the death of the country's leader.

Nyantakyi was working as a FIFA match official for both men's and women's football competitions at the ongoing Games which is expected to end on Sunday.

But he decided to withdraw from the competition to attend the funeral of Prof. Mills who was a passionate football administrator.

The GFA President defended his decision to prematurely end his work with FIFA at the Olympic Games to pay his final respects.

"I didn't think twice about the decision to leave the Olympic Games. President Mills has done a lot for this country," Nyantakyi told the press on arrival.

"His contribution to football and sports in general was immense. He was once the chairman of the Black Stars management committee and chairman of Hearts of Oak.

"He was also instrumental in our successes at the 2010 World Cup and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

"I, as the GFA president, couldn't have been anywhere else but Accra to pay my final respects before he is buried.”

Nyantakyi said he faced no difficulty with FIFA when he approached top officials of the world governing body about his decision to pull out of the Olympics.

"I spoke with CAF President Mr Hayatou and FIFA President Sepp Blatter and they both respected my decision and instantly approved it," the GFA President said.

"They both know the role President Mills has played in Ghana football and even commiserated with the people of Ghana and the football family in Ghana."

This is the first time a Ghanaian president has died while in office.

Mr. Atta-Mills, 68, died July 24th at the 37 Military Hospitals after being taken ill.

He will be buried on Friday near the Independence Square, Osu in Accra.