Aggrey solicit for corporate support for CAN 2008

Accra, Oct. 18, GNA - Mr Joe Aggrey, a Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports has urged corporate entities to get on board and take full advantage of Ghana's right to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations to expand their horizons in the field for more profit.

He said it was necessary that corporate bodies partner government in providing the vital facilities and infrastructure, thereby striking the right cords to break new business grounds.

The Deputy Minister re-emphasised government's inability to do it all alone and said for the nation to have a successful hosting of Africa's biggest soccer showpiece, then it was necessary that companies played vital roles by sponsoring some of the projects.

He was addressing the closing ceremony of the sixth Tour Du Ghana at the Nkrumah Circle in Accra, where Ivoiriens scooped the first five top spots including the favourite yellow jersey.

Veteran Abdulai Troare, winner of the first stage at Cape Coast on Monday, won the overall yellow jersey while compatriots Ouadrago Ahmed and Coulibaley N'gatta winner of the 80-kilometre fourth stage at Tamale clinched the third spot.

Troare, 40, received 3.5 million cedis and a trophy donated by main sponsor Pepsi plus a trophy while his colleagues also went home with a trophy each plus cash prizes.

Mr Joe Aggery congratulated Pepsi, which pumped in 100 million cedis and the other supporting companies, which included Pens and Plastic Ghana Limited (BIC) on their effort in raising lesser-known sports like cycling to an appreciable level.

He urged them to take advantage of the tournament to expand their mileage in a bid to market themselves and the country. Ghana won the bid ahead of sole contender Libya two months ago and she is to build two new stadia at Sekondi-Takoradi and Tamale in addition to the Accra and Kumasi ones.

Nine companies have put in their bid to construct the stadia.