Sports News of Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Source: --

Ghana remembers stadium disaster victims

Ghana is today remembering the 126 football fans who perished in the Accra Sports Stadium disaster 11 years ago.

The May 9 stadium disaster is Africa’s worst soccer tragedy.

The lives were lost as a result of a stampede which occurred during a league match between rivals Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in 2001.

The National Chief Imam Sheikh Dr Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu and officials of the clubs will converge in Nima-a community which recorded many casualties-where a prayer session will be held for the departed souls.

Officials and fans will then proceed to the venue to pay their last respect to the fans.

Kotoko fans threw plastic seats and bottles onto the pitch after Hearts struck late to beat them 2-1 in a Ghana Premier League game.

Police fired into the crowd which caused panic and resulted in a stampede.

The national Under-20 and 17 male teams will play a friendly match as part of events to commemorate this year's event.