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Diasporia News of Saturday, 10 May 2014

Source: Oral Ofori of #TheAfricanDream

Ghana Embassy ready to receive Black Stars to the USA

The atmosphere at the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC is that of excitement as the Mission prepares to welcome the National Team, the Black Stars to the US.

The Black Stars are billed to play an international friendly match against the Republic of South Korea in Miami, Florida on June 9, as part of the team’s preparation towards this year’s FIFA world Cup tournament in Brazil next month.

Mr. Jojo Bruce-Quansah, Head of the Information section of the Embassy who spoke to the media on behalf of the Acting Ghana Ambassador to the United States of America (USA), Mrs. Amma Twum-Amoah, on preparations by the Mission to welcome the Black Stars to the US said the Mission is excited and feverishly preparing to welcome the national team to the US and is also glade to be part of the team’s preparation towards the FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil.

Mr. Bruce-Quansah said “though it might not be a good idea for the Black Stars to play their last match before the World Cup at the back yard of one of their rivals in the tournament, I am confident the technical handlers and coaches have a very good reason for deciding to play the trial match here in the US and I hope the camping will not disturb the team’s concentration .”

“Members of the National Team are professional footballers with many years experience and camping in the USA will not distract them, even though supporters and well-wishers might think otherwise.”

“I am therefore appealing to the Ghanaian community to give the team their support and have faith they are going to improve on their performance in the last World Cup in South Africa”, he added.

Besides the Ghana Embassy, the Ghanaian community in the US are also elated that the Black Stars are coming to the US, an excitement Mr. Bruce-Quansah hopes would translate into getting the International Youth and Sports Organization (IYSO) the needed support to help in the preparation of the Black Stars on their way to Brazil and also get as many Ghanaians as possible to travel from the USA to cheer on the national team in Brazil.

“We are aware of the enormous arrangements going on currently in Ghana by individuals and organizations to help supporters travel to Brazil to support the Black Stars; we also know it will be less expensive to go to the World Cup from the USA, this is why the Ghana Embassy hope the IYSO gets the needed assistance to enable it carry out its mandate from the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to undertake fundraising and promotional activities on behalf of the Black Stars.”

Mr. Bruce-Quansah believe the National team will do very well at the World Cup Finale in Brazil and said the Embassy is willing to support the team in any way possible.

Besides the Black Stars, other African teams also camping in the USA are Cote d’Ivoire and reigning African champions Nigeria.