Active and retired Ghanaian footballers of Ga-Dangme origin are set to thrill fans for the next four weeks in the Maiden McDan Ga-Adangbe Unity Football tournament which kicks off on October 23.

 The Tournament, which is a brainchild of logistics giants McDan Shipping, will bring together active and retired footballers who hail from the Ga and Dangme tribes in Southern Ghana.

Eight teams will battle for supremacy in the month long competition and are drawn from La, Ga Mashie, Osu, Teshie, Nungua, Tema, Prampram and Ada. The ultimate aim of each team's  for the giant trophy,  a cash prize of $2,000 at stake in the final on December 3 at the La Town Park.

The colourful was held at the forecourt of the La Traditional Council. Nii Obodai Adai IV, Mankralo of La said praised the McDan Group for the initiative aimed at fostering unity among the youth in the community and surrounding areas.

Nii Oten Granaky I, Abafum Akutsonste said  “Sports has many benefits and I am happy that a son of La, from the Ga Adangbe tradition is the main sponsor of the competition which will produce many players for the top clubs in the region and the national teams.

“Gas are very talented and skilful in sports, so such an initiative will yield many positive results, I salute McDan for this initiative, his passion for the youth is unquestionable.”

Head of Marketing, Mc Dan Group, Obodai Sai,  who represented Dr. Dan Mc Korley, the Group chairman said this year’s is going to be an improvement in terms of organization. He urged the teams to raise their game to meet the high standards set.   

He expressed that McDan believes in quality and hoped that the best football would be displayed.

Runners-up will take home a handsome package of $1,000 and the top scorer receiving $150. Other prizes include $200 for the most exciting player and $150 for the best defender or goalkeeper.  The best behaved supporters will get $200 and all the participating teams will receive¢ 500 as match appearance fees. 

All the teams were presented with quality branded jerseys and mitre footballs.

Emmanuel Armah (Senegal), a former Black Stars player lauded the initiative and urged footballers from the Ga Adangbe tradition to work hard to earn places in the national teams.

Among the many great players of Ga-Dangme origin who have served the national teams are, ex-Ghana Captain Stephen Appiah, the first to qualify Ghana for the FIFA World Cup, Goalkeeper Richard Kingson, Laryea Kingson, Sam Johnson, Christian Atsu, Thomas Tei Partey and the late Cecil Jones Attuquayefio. -end