Akunor denies indiscipline charges

Accra, Jan. 5, GNA - Solomon Akunor, national table tennis star has denied charges of indiscipline made against him by Mr Kwabena Yeboah, Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

Mr Yeboah in a radio interview on Wednesday, said the selection of the Best Table Tennis Player of the year award is not based on only performance but that discipline is also a key factor in the process, hence the decision of SWAG to select Nana Yaw Boateng over Akunor.

Speaking to the GNA Sports, Akunor said he had never on any occasion been involved in a confrontation with any member of the Ghana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) nor mis-conducted himself and expressed shock at the statements made by the SWAG Vice President.

When asked about his refusal to submit his passport to the team officials during the Africa Youth Championship which led to the disqualification of Ghana from the Under-21 category, Akunor said that cannot be described as indiscipline, since the request was not made by an official of the team but his fellow team mate.

According to the player, he explained the circumstances surrounding his refusal and wondered why that could be used as a basis for SWAG to deny him an honour he rightly deserves. "If the Association used indiscipline to disqualify me then there should have been no award because Boateng does not really deserve the award for 2004", Akunor stated.

On his performance at the Africa Youth Championship, Akunor said the SWAG Vice President had it wrong by saying he did not perform' "I together with Boateng participated in all the teams event, which contributed to the winning of a bronze medal by Ghana".

"I thought SWAG is an independent and neutral institution but they have proven me wrong by such a decision". Akunor said. He explained that he has nothing personal against Boateng but he wants the right things to be done because "I had better records than him in the year under review".

Akunor reiterated his call for SWAG to review their decision since it does not augur well for the development of the game. It would be remembered that Akunor raised objections over the selection of Boateng as the 2004 Table Tennis Player of the year claiming he won three of the four open championships held by the GTTA last year.