Mining giants Gold Fields Ghana have jumped to the support of the extensive charitable projects of Ghana captain Stephen Appiah that aims at helping the less-privileged kids in the West African country. Appiah’s Stepapp Foundation, which is the most benevolent by any sportsman in the country, also helps to encourage the poor children to achieve their dreams. Now headline sponsors of the Black Stars, Gold Fields Ghana, will team up with the Black Stars captain’s organization for its annual event dubbed ‘StepApp to Sports’ for the benefit of the youth in its catchment areas of Tarkwa and Damang. This is an annual community based tournament for school going children up to Junior High School, from various communities competing for the Captain’s Cup. This year’s ‘StepApp to Sports Day’ will be held on Saturday June 27th 2009 at the Liberty Professional Football Grounds, Dansoman in Accra. The day features Stephen Appiah; his Black Stars team mates, Michael Essien and co as well as former national stars Tony Yeboah and Tony Baffoe. “Appiah’s iconic stature among his peers coupled with his image as a national hero for children and his selfless devotion towards the upliftment of others less fortunate, are special attributes that meshes with qualities which the Gold Fields Foundations stands for” said Dr Toni Aubynn, the Acting Country Manager and a member of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation board. Gold Fields Ghana says the maiden StepApp to Sports Day held last year attracted 8000 school going children. In 2010 the event will for the first time take place outside Accra Tarkwa in the Western Region to be precise, the base of Gold Field’s Ghana’s mining operations. The Gold Fields Foundation provides support for their communities of operation through educational scholarships, assisting the delivery of better health, infrastructure, wealth creation and other socio-economic needs. The Gold Fields Foundation has since its inception in 2002 spent over $ 9 million to help various developmental projects in the communities. Source: Ghanasoccernet.com