Members of Parliament on Thursday extended their congratulations to Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club for its daring exploits exhibited in this year's African Cup Winners Cup Competition.

The also commended Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club for annexing the Premier League trophy for the sixth consecutive time and on the occasion of their 91st birthday.

Samuel Nkrumah-Gyimah, Chairman of the Committee on Youth, Sports and Culture set the tone when he made a statement in Parliament on Asante Kotoko Football Club's participation in the 2002 African Cup Winners Cup Competition.

He said the Kotoko team is presently in Morocco in an attempt to reassert once again they are a force to reckon with. Nkrumah-Gyimah, who is also the NPP Member of Parliament for Odotobri said since its baptism in 1935 the team has remained the cornerstone of Ghana soccer and weathered the storm to achieve the "unthinkable by bringing the African Championship Cup to Ghana for the first time in 1971 and again in 1983.

He said the statement couldn't go without mentioning the father and Chief patron of the team, Otumfuo Osei-Tutu 11 and recognition of the contributions of all past players, coaches, management and the supporters.

Nkrumah-Gyimah appealed to members of the House, individuals, organisations, companies and Non-governmental organisations to heed the call of the Chief executive of the Club and come to its aid either in cash or in kind in order to compete in the two-leg matches.

On behalf of the Parliamentary Select Committee, he congratulated the club, the playing body, the technical team, management, the Board, Life Patron and supporters for reaching the finals of the tournament.

Enoch Teye Mensah, NDC- Ningo/Prampram said Kotoko's success could be attributed to the spirit of dedication, discipline and proper planning embarked upon by both management, playing body and supporters. He therefore, urged the team to surmount all obstacles that might come their way to triumph over their Moroccan opponents in both the home and away matches.

Mensah also commended Accra Hearts of Oak for winning this year's league championship for the sixth time and on the occasion of their 91st birthday.

Capt Nkrabeah Effah-Dartey, (rtd) NPP-Berekum congratulated the Kotoko team for reaching the finals and for showcasing the might of Ghana football and advised them to be sensitive to ensuring discipline in all their endeavours. He said, he has the conviction that, come next football season, clubs such as Berekum Arsenals would annex the league trophy.

Prince Oduro Mensah NPP-Techiman South said there was the need for the people to take a cue from what Kotoko has achieved to make it permeate through the social fabric of the society.

He called on the Government to take a critical look at the scheme for self-sponsorship of football by instituting in-built mechanisms to support clubs engaged in continental competitions with financial aid.

Alhaji MalikAl-hassan Yakubu, NPP-Yendi said the tenacity of purpose of the Kotoko team was worth emulating and advised the team to ensure discipline both on and off the field of play. He commended Real Tamale United (RTU) for their sustained participation in the league since 1978 and they have not face relegation and prayed that they would be given the needed financial support to achieve higher laurels.