Sports News of Friday, 23 September 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

Stephen Appiah has not endorsed any political party; wants to remain neutral

Appiah with Haruna Iddrisu Appiah with Haruna Iddrisu

Ghana legend Stephen Appiah has not endorsed any political party ahead of December's general elections as the iconic former captain of the Black Stars wants to maintain his status as a unifying figure in the country.

Friends of the former Juventus star have rejected reports that he has endorsed the opposition NPP revealing he has also supported the ruling NDC in various sporting activities.

The friends have been alarmed by reports claiming he has endorsed the opposition NPP ahead of the December general elections.

This comes after pictures of him emerged wearing an NPP jersey while playing in a football gala to support the sports initiative in his native Chorkor aimed at helping the youth to shun vices and take up to sports.

Even though this happened several months the pictures have been recirculated to create the impression that it is a new campaign.

But his friends say Appiah has got friends in both political parties and have supported their sporting initiatives which does not mean he has endorsed any party towards the elections.

Appiah has also spent time with his close friend in the NDC, Tamale MP Haruna Iddrisu in his sporting outreach programme meant to shore up his status ahead of the elections.

The former Ghana captain has travelled to Tamale several times with Mr. Iddrisu to help him during his campaign targeted at the youth through sports.

"Stephen has done several sports programmes to help both the NDC and NPP. He has not endorsed any party and does not belong to any party," the close friend told Ghanasoccernet.com.

"He has helped them because all of these initiatives are sports and once it is meant at helping the youth he will support the initiative not the party."

Appiah's friends want to make it clear that he has not joined the bandwagon of high profile celebrities from the entertainment and art industry who have revealed their political colours.

The run-up to the December 7 polls has seen a lot of celebrities and celebrated personalities from the entertainment and art industry reveal their political colours.

Some musicians have gone to the extent of composing songs for political parties and some political persons.