Berekum, (B/A) Dec. 2, GNA - The "Gunners", Berekum Arsenals Football Club have been commended for putting up spirited performance to clinch the enviable fourth position in the just ended GT Premier League competition. The Ministry of Local Government honoured the playing body, technical handlers and management were all honoured at a grand ceremony at Vision Hotel in Berekum on Sunday, November 27.

The District Chief Executive for Berekum, Mr. Kwabena Kyereh Yeboah, commended the 'Gunners' for excelling creditably in the league, thus positioning themselves among the top four teams, which will also pave the way for them to also compete in Africa. The DCE said the Berekum District Assembly would render its valuable assistance in cash and kind to Arsenals to enable the club adequately prepare for their participation in the Confederation Cup. Mr Yeboah said from next year, the District Assembly would establish a special youth park for use by the youth for various sporting activities in the District.

The Accra representative of Arsenals and a member of the Ghana League Clubs Association, GHALCA, Kofi Manu, said that the Club could not afford missing out in Africa, but that the major obstacle thwarting their effort was their financial constraints. Mr Manu said Arsenals together with the three other teams, Accra Hearts of oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and King Faisal had collectively sought assistance from the Ministry of Education and Sports and for that matter the Government for the needed financial support. The Chairman of Arsenals Supporters Union, Alhaji Yakubu Moro said the support base of the Club has been broadened to raise enough money to support the team. Alhaji Moro therefore called for financial assistance from individual citizens of the area and corporate bodies to lend their maximum support to the club to be financially self-sufficient.