Wa, (U/W) Aug.5, GNA - The newly elected Chapter Chairman of the Wa branch of Accra Hearts of Oak Supporters Union, Mr Baba Rahman has advised managers of football clubs in the southern parts of the country to cast their nets wide, especially to the northern parts to scout for football talents during off seasons.

Mr Rahman said because of the deprived conditions in the three Northern Regions, several of the youth with the potential and talents for football have failed to utilize their prowess and idle about or waste their time doing nothing due to the lack of exposure. The Chairman made the call at the inauguration of an 11-member Executives of Accra Hearts of Oak's Chapter on Sunday.

The Wa Chapter, which has been christened "Chapter 166" is the first of its kind to be inaugurated in the Upper West Region. Mr Rahman said "Ghana would stand tall among football nations if efforts are made in search for talents from the rural communities." Mr Rufai Mohammed, Deputy Coordinating Director of the Wa Municipal Assembly urged the supporters of the various football clubs to develop the culture of healthy rivalry and interaction to develop the sport. "We must avoid supporting clubs on political and ethnic lines", he said pointing out "this have the tendency of causing confusion and unnecessary conflicts."

Mr Mohammed urged the supporters to contribute financially towards the provision of logistics and support of their team to enable it win more laurels for the country.

Mr Maxwell Asabre, General Secretary of the National Chapters Committee (NCC) said Hearts did not belong to any political party or ethnic group and therefore urged people to desist from associating it with any party or tribe.

He appealed to supporters of the club to avoid discussing politics at their meetings but to endeavor advice each other on the way forward for the Club.

Mr Asabre also urged the supporters to learn to embrace defeats and avoid violent tendencies since football thrives very well in unity, peace and harmony.

The General Secretary advised members of the Chapter to pay their monthly dues regularly and also be responsible for the upkeep and security of players and officials on and off the field of play. Mr Charles Bukari, Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Supporters Union in Wa and Mr Omar Yakubu, Secretary of Wa All Stars Supporters Union in solidarity messages, called for co-operation among supporters to make the Wa Sports Stadium an incident-free venue during league matches.

They also called on other Clubs to emulate Hearts by forming supporters unions in the Region to promote healthy rivalry among supporters and clubs. 05 Aug. 07