By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR) Oct 11, GNA-Mr Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpe, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta constituency, has supported the Senior National Beach soccer team, the Black Sharks, with goodies towards the upcoming Beach Soccer African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
The support includes ten packs of bottled water, two crates of soft drinks and an amount of GH₵2000.00.
Mr Gakpe, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, stated that the support was to motivate and encourage the Black Sharks to prepare adequately for the tougher task ahead in the AFCON.
“We know the task ahead in the continental competition is not going to be easy and we must all come together and support the team in any way for them to deliver and rise the flag of Ghana high in the tournament,” he stated.
He further urged the public to assist the team in their preparations with some other important items which include water, soft drinks, cash, medical equipment during their stay in Keta.
Mr Gakpe who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Keta in the 2024 election, charged the playing body, the technical team, and the entire management members of the Black Sharks to prepare adequately to win the upcoming beach soccer AFCON for the country for the first time.
Mr Nana Poku Amankwa, Team Manager of the Black Sharks, who received the items on behalf of the team expressed joy over the donation and thanked the MP for his kind gesture.
“We promise we are going to do our possible best to defend the national colours and on behalf of the entire team l pledged that we will not disappoint you after eight years of absent from the beach AFCON.”
He appealed to other individuals, philanthropists, corporate organisations, and other stakeholders and the government to as matter of urgency support the team to deliver their best in the tournament.
Mr Yaw Gyamfi Kusi Awere, Chair of Beach Soccer Union and a Member of Ghana Football Association Beach Soccer Committee, said the support would serve as a great motivation to the team to go extra mile and win the trophy for Ghana.
He said Keta has been the origin of beach soccer in Ghana and all must prioritise the game in the region to unearth more talent for a better future.
Meanwhile, the Black Sharks opened camp on Sunday, October 6 at Keta with two friendlies played which they won 5-1 against Blekusu Eagles BSC and lost 3-1 to selected of Keta.
Black Sharks were in group A alongside host nation Egypt, Morocco, and Tanzania in the AFCON while Group B teams also include defending champions Senegal, Mozambique, Malawi, and Mauritania.
The beach Soccer AFCON is expected to kick start on October 19 and would end on October 26 at Hurghada, Egypt with two finalists progressing to the 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles.
GNA