Tamale, Nov. 10, GNA - Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, Minister of Works and Housing on Wednesday presented a set of Jerseys, four footballs and 10 million cedis for players and management of Real Tamale United (RTU) for beating Kumasi Asante Kotoko on two consecutive times. The Minister made the presentation at Kaladan Park in Tamale during the clubs league match with Brekum Arsenals when the two teams went on recess.

He said the presentation was to honour the promise he made to the team if they were able to beat Kotoko the second time, which they did exactly a week ago on the same park.

Presenting the equipment to the team through the captain of the side Nurudeen Wiama, Alhaji Iddriss said the team needed motivation in order to live up to expectation and that he would be getting in touch with management on constant basis for other packages to build the team, adding that the club represented the three Northern Regions and that they should always play above themselves to win more laurels for the north.

He said it was unfortunate the two Members of Parliament from the Tamale Metropolitan Area were not always contacted at the initial stages for assistance

and called on management to set up a special levy for the team so that meaningful Ghanaians and NGOs would contribute towards the teams' continuous success.

He commended the playing body and management for the spirit even though the team was born in a region where poverty is endemic and urged them to keep the spirit growing from strength to strength. Nurudeen on behalf of the playing body thanked the Minster for the support and encouragement given to them and pledged that they would continue to win their matches and called on others to emulate the Minister.

Last week, Madam Hawa, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central presented cash of 100 dollars each player for beating Kotoko at Kaladan during their mid- week league match played on the same pitch.