Ministry of Youth and Sports organizes event to commemorate victims of May 9 Stadium Tragedy
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, alongside key stakeholders in the sports industry, came together yesterday to solemnly commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the May 9 Stadium Disaster.
The event, which took place at the Accra Sports Stadium, served as a stark reminder of the tragic loss of 127 football fans during a match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in 2001.
In his address, Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety in sports venues, stating that ensuring the safety of fans would be the greatest tribute to those who lost their lives on that fateful day.
Mr. Okraku highlighted the progress made in improving football facilities and regulations in the years following the tragedy, but also noted that there was still work to be done in eradicating violence at sporting events.
“ Indeed, 23 years down the line, football facilities have improved, regulations of football have improved and our strict compliance to club licensing is ongoing as we continue to educate our key stakeholders on how to behave at football grounds,” Mr. Okraku said.
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Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, echoed Mr. Okraku’s sentiments, stating that the commemorative event was a crucial reminder to prevent such a horrific event from occurring again.
Mr. Ussif in the ministry commended the efforts made in implementing safety protocols at stadiums in Ghana and emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to enhance fan safety.
The Ministry revealed plans to establish sports fans insurance to provide support in case of future incidents, with a focus on preventing hooliganism and unruly behavior.
Mr. Ussif also expressed gratitude to all stakeholders and the victims’ families for their dedication to ensuring safety at sporting events.
Mr. Majeed Bawa, Deputy Director General of the National Sports Authority, outlined the government’s efforts in implementing safety recommendations following the Okudzeto Commission report.
He stressed the importance of educating sports fans and administrators about the dangers of hooliganism and implementing sanctions to deter perpetrators.
In solidarity statements, the Managing Director of Accra Hearts of Oak and the representative of Kumasi Asante Kotoko pledged to work together to prevent future tragedies.
Furthermore, an update on the May 9 Disaster Fund was provided, stating that the fund will be closed later this year after the last batch of beneficiaries complete their education.
As the commemorative event came to a close, the message was clear – the safety of fans at sporting events is paramount, and collective efforts are needed to ensure that tragedies like the May 9 Stadium Disaster are never repeated.
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