Coach Doya made chief

Tarkwa, (W/R) Dec 25, GNA - The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council has enstooled Ratomir Dujkovic, head coach of the National team, the Black Stars as a chief under the stool name of Oseadeeyo Kantanka at a ceremony at Tarkwa.

The enstoolment was bestowed on coach 'Doya' when some members of the team led by the technical team visited Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL) and paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Chief of the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area.

Mr Fred Pappoe, head of the Black Stars management team and six other players made the trip.

The players included Aziz Ansah, Issah Ahmed, Sammy Adjei and Laryea Kingston, George Owu and Addoquaye Pappoe.

The team visited GFGL Damang Mines, Damang Chief, Tarkwa Mines and the Paramount chief of Wassa Fiase as part of showing their appreciation to the main sponsors of the Stars.

Osagyefo Kwamina Enimil VI, the Paramount Chief of the area who conferred on the title on the coach, said Dujkovic is one 'who does not eat his words', hence the title, Oseadeeyo.

He said coach Doya as he is popularly known promised sending the Black Stars to the World Cup and has true to his word ensured that the club qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Germany next year. Osagyefo Enimil said some companies concentrate only on making profit but with the sponsorship of the Black Stars it indicates the commitment of GFGL of not only concentrating on developing its operational areas but other segments of the society especially the passion of the nation.

The Paramount Chief promised the support of the Traditional Council, owners of the land where the company's gold is mined, to motivate the Black Stars to bring the World Cup to Ghana. Coach Dujkovic thanked the Chiefs for the honour done him and the team.

Earlier at the Damang Mines site, Mr Pappoe on behalf of the Stars expressed his appreciation to the support of the workers on whose toil GFGL was able to sponsor the team.

He apologized on behalf of the rest of the team members for not being able to accompany the team to Tarkwa explaining that most of them were still engaged in matches for their clubs in Europe and other countries.

Mr Pappoe said the team would play a number of friendly matches before proceeding to Egypt for the African Cup of Nations Tournament. He said all the arrangements have been put in place awaiting its implementation to ensure that the team enjoy fruitful tournament, adding that, "we are working hard and by the Grace of God, the Nation's expectation would be realised".

Dr Tony Aubynn, Corporate Affairs Manger GFGL said that since GFGL has helped in shaping the dream of the country and the country, there was the need for collective effort to realize ultimate goal of success. He said the GFGL so far spent 840 million cedis in the sponsorship of the Black Stars.

Keeper Owu on behalf of the team thanked the Chiefs, workers of GFGL and the management of GFGL for the sponsorship and support and urged them to continue with their unflinching support for the success of the Black Stars. 25 Dec 05