Accra, May 8, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has called for tolerance among sports fans, particularly football followers, to prevent the re-occurrence of the disaster that rocked the nation on May 9, 2001.

"We urge tolerance and sportsmanship among both the actors in our sports and the followers of the games as we live through the painful memories of the May 9 Disaster," a statement singed by the President of SWAG, Ackah Anthony, said. "It is with heavy hearts that we remember this day eight years ago when 126 fans lost their lives at a football match. While we stand by the view that no single life is worth being lost in the name of sports or fanaticism, we can only call for sportsmanship, fairness and tolerance at all levels to ensure that we earn true value and joy from participating in sports, whether as sportsmen and sportswomen, administrators, officials or ordinary fans," the statement said.

About 126 fans died at the Accra Stadium in 2001 during a stampede after Police fired tear gas into the crowd during a league clash between giants soccer Hearts and Kotoko. 08 May 09