After four years of serving as the Australian High commissioner in Ghana, His Excellency Andrew Barnes brings his service to an end.
During his stay, his passion for the game of hockey got him attached to the Ghana Hockey Association and Citizen International Hockey Club.
Through his help, ship loads of hockey equipment were transported to Ghana from Australia which were distributed during the Inter School Hockey Fiesta.
Due to his dedication to the sports, the Ghana Hockey Association presented him with a citation in appreciation for all the good work.
The citation was presented by the President of the Ghana Hockey Association and CEO of Ghana Gas, Dr Ben K. D. Asante, who was very pleased with the Ambassador’s involvement in the development of the sport.
In his speech after receiving the honor, H.E Andrew Barnes was grateful to the association.
“I am so very touched with the gifts and your acknowledgement of participation in hockey for the last 4 years. It’s been a wonderful association for me and my family. Ghana Hockey fraternity, you have been most warm and welcoming and I have spent many hours down at the pitch talking to people and having some fantastic games myself. I could never have asked for a nicer group of people who are warm and friendly and welcoming group thank you.”
The Ambassador who spent some quality time with his family on the hockey pitch urged the association to continue developing the sports.
“Things are happening just in the time that I have been here. There have been some significant milestones and I really hope the media will get behind Ghana Hockey and help keep the momentum going and keep the development of the game here. You got four new pitches coming up, which is an amazing accomplishment. The Inter School Hockey fiesta has grown in my time here. I think it is a really great way to maintain and develop the interest of Youth Hockey. I was very pleased to be there for some of the tournaments.”
The Ambassador also called on Sports Authorities and media to promote diversity in sports to shift some of the attention from football. According to him, “I think that for Ghana, it is important to develop diversity in sports, not just have all your eggs in football basket. I think there is so much more to a diversity of sports engagement by the youth and adolescents. Hockey provides a very good supplement to soccer.”
Trophies were presented to winners of the League competition. The Masters was won by Citizens International Hockey Club while Ghana Revenue Authority were champions in the Women divisions. Legon Knights were named champions and won the Men’s Division while the Youth Division went to Kasoa Heroes.
The ceremony was attended by the President, Dr. Ben K.D Asante; Secretary General, Rita Odei Aware; Officials of Ghana Hockey Association and Rev. Lomor Manu.
Story filed by Akosua Adjei.
