Officials of the Ashanti Regional NSA flanked by two of the victims. INSET: One of the accident victims in a bandage at the hospital.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Ahmad Ahmad and other stakeholders have expressed gross condolence on the death of eight young footballers and others who sustained injuries at Offinso in the Ashanti Region.
Last Saturday, a disaster struck players of the Africa Vision Soccer Academy, a colts soccer side. The team, numbering 33, was returning from a GFA-sanctioned vetting and registration of juvenile exercise at Afrancho ahead of the opening season.
So far, eight players between ages 12 and 15 are confirmed dead, six in critical condition at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, while others have been treated and discharged from the St. Patrick and Namong SDA Hospitals.
The Offinso Commander of the Motor Transport & Traffic Directorate (MTTD), DSP Edmund Nyamekye, has attributed the misfortune to steering control loss.
“I am shocked and saddened to learn of the deaths of six young sons of our great football family who died following a car accident on Saturday,” the CAF president said in a letter addressed to the GFA.
He added, “I hasten to extend to you, on behalf of all the members of the CAF Executive Committee, the sincerest condolences and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Ahmad also extended condolences to families of the deceased, saying, “I ask you to convey to the family of the deceased and their loved ones these condolences and the mark of our great respect for what they offer the game.
I know that this cruel loss has brought immense sorrow and I would like you to know that African football fraternity shares in this pain.”
Meanwhile, officials of the National Sports Authority (NSA) in the Ashanti Region have paid a visit to the victims and their families.
Youth & Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah, the leadership of GFA and other stakeholders have commiserated with the victims and the bereaved families.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum