The Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) will collaborate with its partners to roll out an insurance policy for sports fans involved in sporting disasters.
At a solemn event to remember 127 football fans who perished in a stampede when Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko played at the Accra Sports Stadium in a premier league match on May 9, 2001, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Mustapha Ussif, called on sports enthusiasts to continue to sensitize supporters to eschew tendencies likely to create an atmosphere of misunderstanding during football games.
He indicated the government’s commitment to ensuring the security and safety of sports fans, adding that it was the responsibility of stakeholders to play their roles to forestall such an occurrence.
“Hooliganism and unruly behaviour are never accepted in our society, stakeholders are to abide by safety protocols put in place by authorities at the various sports facilities,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to sports administrators for ensuring the safety and security of fans after the May 9, 2001, incident and called for enhanced education to end hooliganism in sports.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
