Starlets urged to start camping for World Cup - Abuga

Tamale, May 23, GNA - Mr Abuga Pele, Member of Parliament for Chiana/Paga in The Upper East Region on Friday called on the football authorities to start camping players of the Under 17 team as soon as possible to prepare them adequately towards the Juvenile World Cup slated for Peru in September.

He said Ghanaians should stop crying over the broad day light robbery of the Ghanaians by the Gambian counterparts and put effective measures in place to ensure that Ghana performed better in the World event to regain the country's lost glory.

Mr Pele who accompanied the team to Gambia was speaking to the GNA Sports in a telephone interview soon after arrival at the Kotoka International Airport on Friday.

The Ranking Member on Education and Sports described the performance of the players as commendable and that they put up a good attempt to grab the Cup for keeps but regrettably, "For the first time in the history of Africa soccer, a spectator had won a match for his country". Mr Pele therefore called on Ghanaians not to be disturbed about the outcome of the match or cry over what he termed "Spilt Milk" but they should pray for the boys during the forthcoming World tournament.

"The Gambians were under pressure in the last minutes of regulation time when a spectator who was predicting the doom of his country, decided to enter the goal posts in the full glare of many that resulted in a goal for the home side but surprisingly the referee allowed the goal"

Mr Pele described the situation as a disgrace to Africa soccer and suggested that Ghana sends a formal protest to the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), not to change the verdict but to sanction the referee and the match officials to bring sanity into Africa football. The MP said the boys got to the finals with perseverance since there were initial problems regarding their allowances and advised the football authorities 'not to joke with motivation for the players' in the impending World Cup.

"I will use this opportunity to congratulate the technical team for the splendid performance to get the boys into the World Cup. Mr Pele appealed to the government, the business community and individuals to contribute towards motivating the players so as to boost their moral to perform well in the impending World Cup to enable them grab the ultimate trophey for keeps. 24 May 05