BRAVO, ALL STARS (GRAPHIC SPORTS, PAGE 17)

Playing in Ghana’s premier soccer league is not an easy task, particularly for newly-promoted clubs. Before the just-ended league season started, soccer pundits gave Wa All Stars Football Club no dog chance to remain in the premiership.
It appeared that all along crowd violence had been expected in this “remote” area of the country, and by natural consequence a possible ban of the stadium. Chief among reasons openly expressed in the media was the assertion that “Wa is too far”.
But All Stars have proven those so-called pundits wrong. Gone are the days when after church service on Sundays, the only place to seek solace in the Wa township was the drinking bar. However, today every other Sunday is the most cherished moment in most people’s lives as they wait patiently to see their darling club perform against visiting teams.
The seventh position of All Stars in the standings in the premiership was no fluke. It was through hardwork from management/technical bench and most often the well-behaved supporters who brought the team this far.
Never has there been an occasion for crowd violence although at times the supporters disagree with the decisions of match officials.
Having remained in the league, it is hoped that the team would be strengthened with more experienced players to enable them to demolish all oppositions in future campaigns.
Aside these, there are issues which when not tackled could lead to the collapse of the club. These problems include ticket racketeering and under-declaration of proceeds at the gates.
During matches, those entrusted with collecting gate proceeds gleefully pocket the money as there is no effective mechanism to check them.
In addition to this, the number of people who enter the stadium free of charge is too much for a young club like All Stars.
Stringent measures must be put in place to check all these anomalies.
Last but not least, conscious effort must be made to put up an additional stand to serve fans who throng the stadium since the only one available is woefully inadequate.
Finally, let us congratulate Wa All Stars for making the Upper West Region proud, after all, they had proven that good things can come from the region. Bravo All Stars!