Muslims in Ghana are confident of the Black Stars success at next year's World Cup after special prayers were held for sports in the country on Saturday to mark the end of Ramadan. Minister of Sports Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo pledged the government's support for Muslim sportsmen and women insisting that their pivotal role in the development of sport in the country is "strongly" appreciated by the people of Ghana. The newly-confirmed minister was attending a special event organised in Accra by Muslims in Sports in Ghana to mark the end the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Several leading Muslim personalities in sports administration, footballers, boxers, athletes and supporter groups in Ghana attended the event organised by Alhaji Sly Tetteh, owner of Liberty Professionals. Special prayers were said for the success of the various national teams especially for the Black Stars at next year's World Cup in South Africa. Pelpuo was the special guest of honour at an 'Iftar' programme where the entire Qur'an was recited to invoke God's blessing for sports in the country. Muslims have played and are still playing a pin-in-a-grenade role in the country's sporting history and the minister said they must lead by example. "The country wants to thank you strongly for your contribution to our rich sporting history and our government's support here is certain for you to rise to the top of your game," Pelpuo said "You have to learn to achieve your aim in life. You can be a good footballer or a sportsman but if you don't make it to the top then you should know you have failed. "Islam should make you rise to the top because the first world in the Holy Quran says Read, and that should tell you that you have to seek knowledge and learn hard." Accentuating on the importance of education, the minister said: "If Mohammed Polo played football and made all the money and couldn't send his child to the university, then he has failed. "If Sulley Muntari can't send his child to a university in the UK or America then he has failed. "Education is important because even as a footballer you must be able to read your contracts otherwise dodgy agents will get you bad deals." Imam Abou-Firdaus Basha, who led the Qur'an recitals, said praying for the national team's success during this fasting period is certain to bring success to the Black Stars at the World Cup. Football legends Abedi Pele, Abdul Razak, Baba Yara, Mohammed Polo, Awudu Issaka and recently Hamuni Dramani and Sulley Muntari just to mention a few are among the country's Muslim football greats. The maiden edition of the Muslims in Sports,Ghana had Ex-internationals Mohammed Polo and Abou Manaf as well as King Faisal owner Alhaji Grunsah, Chief Executive of Sekondi Eleven Wise Alhaji Raji and Alhaji Sly Tetteh of Liberty Professionals as well as Mighty Jets chief Abu Sondoko were all present. A special messages of support were sent in by Abedi Pele, Sulley Muntari and Haminu Dramani who are all out of the country. Source: Ghanasoccernet.com