Association to raise funds for retired footballers

Accra Hearts of Oak and Liberty Professionals will on Sunday,, March 8, engage in a charity match at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra to raise funds for members of the Retired National Footballers Association (RENFAG).

City rivals Sekondi Eleven Wise and Hasaacas will similarly also battle for honours at the Essipong Stadium in Sekondi on Friday, March 6, also in line with the scheme to support the retired footballers.

Nana Agyeman Gyawu, President of (RENFAG) said at a Press Conference in Accra on Thursday that funds raised from the two charity matches will be channelled into ensuring the welfare of the members.

He said most members of the Association who once served the nation have become bedridden and paupers as a result of their inability to afford basic needs.

Nana Gyawu cited some of the 'disabled' former players as E. C. Briandt and Amusa Gbadamosi whom he said after their dedicated services to the nation now have to battle for their daily bread.

He added that both Briandt and Gbadamosi are currently bedridden and require serious financial aid for treatment.

The President of the Association said that there are 35 other members who have become a burden on society and their communities because of their inability to afford basic needs.

“These former national players are suffering today, because they have been neglected by previous governments despite the committed and dedicated services they rendered to the nation”, he added.

He called on soccer fans to patronize both matches to enable RENFAG raise the needed capital for the support of the former national stars.

Prince Ernest Oduro-Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC) said the Council will do everything possible to support the retired players.

He said supporting the retired players with their basic requirements should be one of the avenues of rewarding them for their contributions to the development of football in the country.

Prince Oduro-Mensah urged all soccer fans to come in their numbers to cheer their teams to victory whilst contributing to a worthy caused on the scheduled dates.

GNA