The Sekondi Youth Association (SYA) has called for the establishment of a Veterans Footballers Fund to cater for the upkeep of retired footballers in the country. The Association said the Fund could be used to cater for the needs of the retired footballers who had contributed towards national development. Mr. Kwamina Jonfiah, Public Relations Officer of the Association made the appeal at an awards and dinner ceremony organized for retired footballers within the Shama Ahanta East at Sekondi on Monday. He said the awards were aimed to form part of activities marking the 50th anniversary celebrations. Mr. Jonfiah said the veteran footballers have contributed their quota towards the growth of the nation and therefore commended them for their efforts. He appealed that the Sekondi Gyandu Park and the Regional Theatre complex should be completed to enable the people of the area to make use of them for recreation and other activities. Mr. Jonfiah condemned gossip and other negative tendencies in the area adding that until the trend changes, development in the sporting sector and the development of the associations would be difficult to achieve. Mr. Peter P. Cann, Chairman of the Association urged the society to assist the retired footballers in their retirement and not to be neglected. He said their invaluable roles within the country and outside should be tapped for the enhancement of football development. Mr. Philip K. Nkrumah, Metropolitan Chief Executive commended the SYA for their initiative to honor the old heroes who used football to raise the image of the country to an appreciable level. Mr. Nkrumah urged the veterans to counsel the youth to take keen interest in football and other sporting activities. The Association presented 37 awards to some veterans for their contribution to football development. Mr. Sly Tetteh of Liberty Professionals FC was presented with a trophy and citation for being the Special Sports Personality. The Championship awards went to Nana Benyin Ayison, Mr. Peter P. Cann, Piers Person and Kofi Klutse among others. Those who received the National team Awards were Isaac Essuman, Robert Coffie, Mohammed Fuseini, Isaac Paha, Alex Nustugah, Kofi Abbrey, Sam Arthur, Kuuku Dadzie, Ebo Eshun and P.S.K. Paha. The Special Team awards were presented to Nii Akweletey, Sam Arthur, Albert Nyarko, John Bannerman, Peter Akroma, Johnson Smith, Ben Hayford, Abdulai Dauda, Anthony Nyarko, Isaac Tanoh, Nana Fynn, Robert Nyarko, Ato Dapatem, Francis Ezee, George Brown, John Arthur and Atukwei Armah. The Order of the Western Star Award was presented to John Eshun, Emmanuel Quarshie, E. A. Nartey and Eward Acquah. Edward Acquah, a recipient who spoke on behalf of the award winners said they were grateful for being recognized for their efforts by the SYA and urged his colleague's to use their experience to assist the youth within their communities to develop football. Source: GNA