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13.02.2009 Sports News

'Put Safety Measures At Stadia'

By Daily Guide
'Put Safety Measures At Stadia'
13.02.2009 LISTEN

Mr. O.B. Amoah Osei Bonsu Amoah, Former Deputy Minister of Sports has called for adequate safety measures to be put in place immediately at all stadia to prevent any unfortunate incident and death.

According to him, without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation, strict adherence to the issuance of tickets to reflect numbered seats at the respective stadia and the provision of stewards to avert injuries and deaths to sports fans should be implemented.

The Member of Parliament for Aburi-Nsawam who expressed sympathy over the death of the six soccer fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday where the home side Asante Kotoko engaged Accra Hearts of Oak in a league match, also requested the Ministry of Youth and Sports to institute a full scale investigation into the incident and death of soccer fans.

Mr. Amoah expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured speedy recovery.  

According to medical reports from Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, forty eight persons were treated for various injuries out of which six lost their lives.

Allegations of fans jumping over the stadium walls and illegal selling of ticket were said to have occurred at the stadium, culminating in the facility being full beyond its 40,000 capacity.

The overcrowding of the stadium led to scores of fans collapsing in the heated stands and were then brought unto the tartan tracks to be resuscitated by para-medics before being rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah

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