Tarkwa MP Leads Medeama SC To Jubilee House
…Presents Trophy To Prez Akufo-Addo
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency in the Western Region, George Mireku Duker, yesterday, led premier league champions, Medeama SC, to the seat of government in Accra.
The MP, who doubles as Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, together with the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Evans Bobie Opoku Evans, led the board, management, technical staff, as well as the playing body, to the Jubilee House, where they presented the trophy to the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo.
Yesterday’s visit, which is the first of its kind for the team, afforded the delegation the opportunity to officially introduce the 2020/23 Premier League winners to the President and top officials at the presidency.
Mr.Duker, while introducing the Betpawa Premier League Champions, said, “We are privileged to handover the trophy to you as the president. As a loving father, sports enthusiast and number one in the country, we can’t be hosting this trophy in Tarkwa without presenting it to the spirit of this country, the President of the Republic.”
He said, “Mr. President, I am glad to indicate that this team was formed in 2008 in my hometown, Dompim, when I was the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE). And I have rallied behind this team and they have rallied around me and today, for about 47years down the line, this is the first time Western Region has seen this trophy.”
He also acknowledged the immense contribution of President Akufo-Addo in the development of sports infrastructure in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency, where the team is based.
The enthused MP credited these contributions of government as having resulted in the constituency and the Western Region winning the ultimate after 47 years.
The MP and deputy minister, who has supported the team all this period to attain this feat, assured “Together, we shall leverage on sports to contribute towards socio-economic development in our communities.”
On his part, President Akufo-Addo congratulated the MP, management and the playing body for doing a great job for coming out tops of the Premier League. He assured that his government will do its best to assist the team to excel in their CAF Champions games.
He urged the team, which will be competing in the CAF Champions League as Ghana’s representative, to do their best and make themselves and the country proud.
“This is great, you’ve done a great job. I want to congratulate you very much. We will do our best to assist you to make sure you have a successful tournament. Thank you very much that you’ve come to present the cup to me and I want to congratulate the playing body, well done,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo charged them to perform creditably so they justify their call into the senior national team, the Black Stars.
He assured the team of his unflinching support throughout the African Football Champions League, and tasked the sector ministry to support the team’s participation. Medeama are currently preparing, ahead of the continental tournament, slated for this October.
It comes months after the MP led Medeama SC in June to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagin, to present the trophy to the onetime Nadowli Kaleo constituency lawmaker.
Other members of the delegation were Dr. Tony Aubynn, Medeama SC Board Chairman; Nana Kwasi Blay, Acting Overlord, Apinto Divisional Council; Nana Kwaw Adarkwa Bediako III, Gyaasehene; Nana Abena Boaduwaa II, Queen Mother, Apinto Divisional, and other officials.
Medeama SC were crowned champions of Ghana after a successful 2022/23 season.
They ended the campaign top of the league with 60 points to win their first-ever Ghana Premier League title.
The Mauve and Yellow needed at least a point in their last game of the season to be champions, and did that in an emphatic style, thumping Tamale City at home.
History Of Sports In Tarkwa & Western Region
Mr. Speaker, apart from its rich mineral resources, Tarkwa, in the Wassa-Fiase Traditional Area of the Western Region, is also rich in sporting talents. When it comes to soccer, various Tarkwa-based clubs strived to achieve laurels in the past without success. Some of these clubs were Gold Stars, Tarkwa United, Wassaman, Nsuta National, Mobile Stars, Daakye Stars, GAG Soccer Roos and Real Tarkwa United.
It was the Tarkwa Gold Stars that made the town taste some elite football, with a short stint in the then Division 1 football League in 1979. The team was unfortunately relegated to the Second Division the following year in 1980. The Tarkwa Gold Stars produced football Great Personalities, like Afranie, Kalilu Dramani and Opoku Nti, who later became the Captain of Asante Kotoko and Ghana Black Stars.
Mr. Speaker, it has taken Thirty (30) good years for Tarkwa and Wassaman in general to taste elite football again when in 2008, Moses Armah Parker founded the team in my hometown Dompim-Pepesa when I was the Municipal Chief Executive. Since then, Medeama Sporting Club has been a household name in the Ghana soccer fraternity.
It was all joy in June 11, 2023 when Medeama SC were crowned 2022/2023 Ghana Premier League Champions.
Mr. Speaker, this is the first time in 47 years that a major soccer trophy has come to the Western Region after the Sekondi Great Hassaccas won the then first division league in 1976.
Source:Anchorghana.com
