Wa All Stars fan killed in jubilation

A jubilant supporter of Wa All Stars lost his life on Saturday when he tried to jump onto a vehicle that was carrying victorious players and their supporters of the team that qualified for the Premier League on Wednesday on a float.

The deceased whose name was only given as Jojo was said to have gotten down from the vehicle carrying the team through the principal streets of Wa, the Upper West Regional capital, to buy some drinking water and in an attempt to jump back unto the vehicle he got run over by the back tyres and died instantly.

The victorious team was met at the outskirts of the regional capital at Bamahu near Wa by the Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Ambrose Dery and the jubilant supporters to welcome the players and Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and owner of the club who accompanied the team to Wa on Saturday.

Some of the supporters who rode motorbikes and bicycles displayed their skills, sometimes rather frighteningly and risky to the amusement of onlookers.

Mr. Dery later addressed the players at the Naa Sidiki Bomi II Park and assured the team of the support of the Regional Coordinating Council and the District Assembly to ensure they have a permanent stay in the premiership.

He urged Management of the club to be committed to the welfare of the players and advised the players to live disciplined lives to enable them chalk successes and profit from their chosen profession.

The Regional Minister called on citizens and other people of the Region, especially businessmen and women to assist the club financially to ensure its sustenance.

"Any acts of hooliganism would not help the club. Let us secure a permanent place for the club by being law abiding so that the players would stay in Wa and honour their league matches. This is the only surest way that would help us stay on the premiership", he said.

Mr. Nyantakyi appealed to supporters of the club to be accommodating and try to take defeats in good faith, saying: "Winning depends on hard work and commitment from management, the players and supporters".

He commended political leaders from the Region for the financial and material support they gave to the players during the matches of the Middle League and urged other citizens to emulate them by providing human, material and financial support to sustain the Club and to bring laurels to the Region.

"Sports has a very important key role to play in the development of the Region and we must ensure that Wa All Stars stay's in contention by conducting ourselves very well during and after football matches", he said.

The Imam of Wa, Alhaji Mahama Foruko called on people of the Region to see the club as their own and pool resources to support it, saying: "The qualification of the club would help raise the good name of Wa in particular and the Region as a whole and so all must lend their support for its survival".

Source: GNA