Kumasi, May 30, GNA - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has hailed the exploits of African players in the various leagues abroad, especially in Europe and urged them to work hard to sustain the trend. He said by their sterling performance, the players have helped to raise the image of the continent in spite of the many challenges confronting Africa.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu said this in a message delivered on his behalf when Togolese and Arsenal FC striker, Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Thursday. Adebayor who is the skipper of the Togolese national team was accompanied by Mr Jean-Pierre Gbikpi-Benissan, the Togolese Ambassador to Ghana and some officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The Togolese skipper's visit formed part of activities planned by the BBC and aimed at helping him to reach out to the needy and under-privileged youth through education following his recent award as the BBC 2007 African Player of the year. The Asantehene said it behoves on African players to be disciplined and always aspire for greater heights in their chosen career since that was the only way they can survive in their respective leagues for the benefit of the African continent. Otumfuo Osei Tutu thanked the skipper for his commitment to support the educational development on the continent following his award and said Manhyia would help him in this respect to enable him achieve his objectives.

Adebayor said he sees his new status as the BBC 2007 African player of the year as a great challenge, stressing that in view of that he was working assiduously to justify the award given him by supporting various educational programmes on the continent to better the lives of especially the youth. 30 May 08