A football match between Northern and Southern sector of Ghana, has been put in place to precede the renaming of the Tamale Sports Stadium to Alhaji Aliu Mahama stadium.

The commemoration match, which has been fixed for Sunday 10th December 2017 at the Tamale Stadium, would have the northern zone teams comprising Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Upper East, Upper West and Northern Region, with Greater Accra, Eastern, Western, Central and Volta Regions making up for the southern zone team.

According to Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Pius Enam Hadzide, the decision from Government to name the stadium after the late Vice President was due to his contribution to sports development in the country and more especially his contribution to the development of Northern Ghana and Real Tamale United (RTU).

“In collaboration with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Aliu Mahama Foundation, Government has decided to immortalize Aliu Mahama for his immense contribution to youth development and sports in general.

“He played a major role in the construction of the Tamale Sports Stadium and RTU, and on his 5th anniversary celebration, we have decided to honour him” he added.

Coach of newly crowned Ghana Premier League Champions Aduana Stars, who would coach the Northern Zone team, hinted of his team’s preparedness to win the day in honour of the late statesman.

“We are ready to exhibit a good game for Ghanaians to enjoy and also remember our former leader.

“It took me few hours to select my players because the Northern sector abounds with great players. I have pencilled down few names like Saddick Adams, Awal Mohammed, Felix Annan, Joseph Addo, Elvis Opoku, Noah Mantey and Evans Coffie…just to mention a few.”

In an interview Coach Charles Akonnor, who would be on the sidelines for the southern zone team with his assistant Laryea Kingston, he noted that players like Thomas Abbey, Kwame kizito, Vincent Atinga, Samuel Safo and Winful Cobbinah would make the cut for their side.

The Executive Director for the Aliu Mahama Foundation Dr Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong extolled the love the late Mahama had for sports and his contribution to sports and youth development in Ghana.

“The former Vice President was so much involved in football through his days as former RTU Chairman.

“He played a role in getting the Tamale Stadium in place and he deserves it and am urging all Ghanaians to help us to celebrate a great man,” he added.

The commemoration match, which would commence with a youth forum at the University of Development Studies Campus on Friday and a national health and fitness walk in collaboration with Agricultural Development Bank would have the winner of the match on Sunday taking home a trophy and a cash price of GH¢ 50,000.00.