12TH MAY, 2015

TO: ALL SPORTS EDITORS

PRESS RELEASE

MESSAGE OF CONDOLENCE

The Minister of Youth and Sports has learnt with deep shock the passing away of Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, a former player and later, coach of the Senior National Football Team, the Black Stars.

The immense contribution of the late Attuquayefio to the development of football resonates with soccer enthusiasts within the country and beyond.

We recall with bitter nostalgia his achievements on the field of play as a young player for the various clubs before taking to coaching.

At the club level, the late Attuquayefio has had a glittering coaching career spanning several years which includes guiding Hearts of Oak to their CAF Champions League victory, the CAF Confederation Cup and the Super Cup.

He has also achieved an impressive career with Liberty Professionals before leaving our shores to Benin where he successfully guided their national team to their first ever African Cup of Nations Tournament.

Back from his sojourn, Sir Jones had yet another opportunity to take charge of the National U-20 Football Team, the Black Satellites and the U-23 Team, the Black Meteors where he excelled before moving onto the highest pedestal as coach of the Senior National Football Team, the Black Stars.

The passing away of this international coaching legend is a great loss to Ghana

and the sub-region, especially now that the country is taking measures to step up its performance both at the National and International levels. His rich experience as a star player and as a coach would have been heavily relied upon.

In this moment of national loss, the Minister on behalf of his Ministry and its agencies sends his condolences to the wife, children, the bereaved family and the entire sports fraternity.

We say kpoo!