World hockey chief calls on Prez Mills

Page 62: Daily Graphic, July 20, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills has pledged the government’s commitment to continue the development and expansion of hockey facilities in the country to attract more people into the game.
He said Ghana was endowed with skilful persons to play hockey but the inadequacy of the facilities had made many of them to coil.
President Atta Mills made the pledge when a delegation of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) led by its President, Mr Leandro Negre, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, to thank him for the government’s support for the hosting of the 9th Hockey African Cup of Nations which ended in Accra last Saturday.
He said hockey had had serious challenges in the last two decades in the country but said the hosting of the competition had reignited some enthusiasm in the game.
According to him, with hockey, organisers must endeavour to catch the players young to sustain their interest and pledged to continue from where the Africa Hockey Federation (AfHF) had left off so that many more people, especially the youth would be attracted to the game.
President Atta Mills expressed satisfaction at the success of the competition and reminded the teams that it was the spirit with which they played the matches that made it successful and not by winning or losing.
He commended the AfHF for the support in selecting Ghana to host the event and also providing technical assistance.
President Atta Mills commended the chairman of the Ghana Hockey Association, Mr Oko Nikoi Dzani, and his colleagues for making the games a success.
He said hockey was close to his heart and indicated that but for politics, “I will still be playing hockey.”
The President and his Chief of Staff, Mr Newman, used to play hockey together but Mr Newman later quit for cricket.
The acting Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, said it was the commitment of the ministry to make hockey the most sought-after game after soccer in Ghana.
The President of International Federation of Hockey, Mr Negre, said he was impressed with hockey pitch and the facilities provided for the competition.
He observed that hockey was still developing in Ghana but was hopeful that with the kind of facilities being provided, Ghana would soon be a household name in hockey circles.