Medeama Storms Parliament With Trophy

…Speaker Gifts GH₵100,000 As MPs Hail Club

By Gifty Arthur

Reigning Ghana Premier League champions, Medeama Sporting Club (SC), have paid a visit to Parliament to officially present their trophy to the august House, after 47years of no league title for the people of Western Region.

Both the playing body, its officials and management were in the house to present the trophy to the legislative arm of government, in the wake of the team’s consistent thrilling performance in the premier league.

The last Wednesday, June 21, 2023 visit follows the crowning of the Tarkwa-based club by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) this month, after they had emerged winners of the 2022/23 league season.

They were led to parliament by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tarkwa Nsuaem constituency in the Western Region, George Mireku Duker, who has been one of the biggest cheerleaders and financiers of the club.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who was impressed by the performance of the club, generously pledged some GH₵100,000 to support the club in preparation towards the CAF Champions League task ahead.

Receiving the club, whose victory is the first in its history, at the Speaker’s Secretariat, Mr.Bagbin praised the team and sent his goodwill message to the players and management, who were later spotted in the public gallery.

The prominent politician revealed his love for sports, and advised the players, who will be representing Ghana in the CAF Champions League next season, to be disciplined in order to excel.

It has been more than 10 years since a Ghanaian club progressed from the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League, to the group stage, when Berekum Chelsea finished third in Group B of the 2020 season.

“So Medeama SC, I want to assure you that the House is with you and I will proceed to pledge, which you can take up from me anytime, an amount of GH₵100, 000 now to support their continental campaign.

This is the time to enjoy, refresh, motivate and incentivize yourself ahead for the task ahead, we are with you. Congratulations,” he said.

He assured that, Parliament will support the club in its exploits on the continent of Africa to succeed.

“I want to, on your behalf, commit the House to go with them all the way to the continent to ensure that they win the African Cup for Ghana.

This I will proceed to enforce to ensure that they get the necessary resources and motivation to surprise the continent by winning the cup,” he added.

MPs Hail

Earlier, the Tarkwa Nsuaem MP, who has celebrated the team in many ways, having brought glory and joy to his constituents, delivered a statement on the floor of Parliament, congratulating the glorious club and called on stakeholders and government to invest heavily in sports for the socio-economic development.

The MP, whose constituency was united between the two main political parties as a result of the crowning of Medeama SC, argued that investment in health, infrastructure, sports, and education in mining communities, such as Tarkwa, is one major way to make up for the huge mineral resources gap.

His colleague MPs, from both sides of the aisle, showered praises on both their colleague and the team for the feat, which has brought the spotlight on the people of Tarkwa.

Mr.Duker, who is also a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, thanked the sector minister, and MP for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, and other MPs, who joined in the celebration of the historic moment.

He expressed special appreciation to the Tobinco Brothers for hosting Medeama SC to a memorable lunch. The Brothers are reported to have also donated GH₵100, 000 to the club.

The Tarkwa Nsuaem lawmaker was joined to the august House by the president of the GFA, Kurt Okraku, owner and bankroller of the club, Moses Armah Parker, as well as the board and management of Medeama.

The Mauve and Yellow on Sunday June 11, 2023 beat Tamale City at Akoon Park at the mining town, Tarkwa, 3:0, following which the FA crowned them the ultimate winners of the league. For snatching the ultimate, Medeama was rewarded GH₵300, 000 in prize.

It was an increase from the previous season, when champions Kumasi Asante Kotoko received GH₵250, 000 in prize money.

According to reports, the increase was as result of the successful headline sponsorship deal with betPawa, ahead of the season. The betting company is investing some $6million over a three-year period.

Winning of the league title is the first for the team, but it is the breaking of 46years’ trophy drought, since a team in the region was crowned champions of the premier league.

Throughout the season, Medeama won 18 matches, drawing six and losing 10 games. Medeama Champions League journey is set to begin in mid-August, this year, when the preliminary stages of the competition will begin for the 2023-24.

Source: Anchorghana.com