Sunyani (B/A) June 27, GNA - Global Media Partners, operators of Space FM Radio station in Sunyani on Friday declined an official invitation to attend a fund-raising rally organised by Brong-Ahafo United Football Club on Saturday., citing the club's open hostility against the station last year.

Mr. Ransford Antwi, Director/General Manager, in a reply to the invitation addressed to the Chairman of the Board of the Club said management of the FM station noted that the decision to dishonour the invitation was as a result of the open hostility against the station last year and that it was a collective one.

The management said the decision to decline the invitation was due to the destruction and vandalism of the Company's premises about a year ago allegedly by a group of disgruntled hooligans at the instigation of the club's leadership.

The statement said, "This act of vandalism perpetuated by your men plunged the station into serious financial trauma, especially as we had just commenced operations.

As a sign of exemplary leadership, one expected some official condemnation from your quarters, however, nothing came", it said. The station's management added that, "Your unexpected silence over the barbaric act suggested that those hooligans, alleged to be followers of B/A United had your support".

It said one therefore wonders how you're the club could invite an institution, owned by people considered enemies of B/A United to a gathering where diagnostic measures are going to be taken so as to shape the destiny of the club.

The Board of Directors and the Interim Management Committee of the club decided to organize the rally, code-named "Operation save B/A United" to raise funds to ensure its efficient management. Invitation letters were sent to individuals, departments, firms, institutions, companies and other radio stations including Space FM.

Nana Yaw Amoako, Chairman of the Board called on citizens of Brong-Ahafo to assist and help the club out of its "HIPC" situation to save it from imminent collapse.

"B.A. United, as the name goes, is a traditional club for citizens of this Region", he added and appealed to MPs in the Region, Chiefs and their elders to show interest and contribute to the efficient running of the club.

The club's coach, Mr. Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie, popularly known as "Coach-hene" promised to work hard to help the club to perform well in the Kinapharma novelty zone "A" Premier League.

He urged the players to jettison their apathetic attitude and support him and the management to achieve the desired goal.

Members of the IMC presented 30 million cedis, Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, who is also MP for Sunyani West, who was represented and Nana Afena Sam, Regional Coordinator of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) pledged one million cedis each.

The Senior Minister, Mr. J.H. Mensah, MP for Sunyani East contributed one million cedis through Mr. Kofi Darko, the NPP Regional Organiser, with the club's Board pledging 20 million cedis while members of Ahenboboano-based Apostle One supporters of the club gave 400,000 cedis.