| Audio Attachment:His Excellency President John Evans Mills, addressing the press immediately after the Black Satellites victory over the Seleção of Brazil at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. |
President John Evans Mills has cautioned Ghanaians to be circumspect in their celebrations following the Black Satellites victory over their Brazilians counterparts in the finals of the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup played in Cairo, on Friday, 16th October.
Addressing a press conference after the match, President Mills, who is on a three day official trip to the Eastern Region, sang the praises of the Under 20 side for distinguishing themselves in the final match by bringing home the coveted Cup to Ghana, despite their numerical disadvantage.
“I hear some people are over-celebrating. I think that in this case circumspection is very very important. We don’t want to lose any lives and therefore celebrate so that you can get up tomorrow and contribute your quota to the development of Ghana…,” he said.
Ten-man Ghana yesterday won the FIFA U-20 World Cup by defeating Brazil in a sudden death penalty shoot-out after the two teams failed to break the deadlock in 120 minutes of football.
The African and South American champions, who had both not lost a game during the competition, kept that proud record intact, but at the end of the day, it was the Black Satellites, who followed in the footsteps of Argentina, victors at Canada 2007, in lifting the famous trophy.
President Mills said the victory by the Satellites was for the entire African Continent, adding that “Africans came together on the football field”, in view of the massive support the Ghanaians received from every quarters.
But, in spite of all these accolades, His Excellency, the President, categorically stated that he has “no intention of declaring a national holiday.”
“It’s not because we do not appreciate what the U-20s have done. But I think that we need to also as a nation ensure that we use any available time to do that we promised the people we are going to do…we had a public holiday not too long ago… I therefore think that whiles we celebrate, it’s not my intention to declare a holiday,” he stated.
Asked if government had put together any special package for the team following their sterling performance yesterday, President Mills replied, “we will cross the bridge when we get there.”
Source: Kwadwo Asante/Peacefmonline
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