Vanderpuye congratulates Muntari for the fight against racism
A former Minister of Youth and Sports under. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye says racism has no place in modern day civilisation and in sports.
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Congratulating the Pescara midfielder, Sulley Muntari for his fight against racism, Nii Vanderpuye said blacks must join hand in the fight against the menace.
“A lot of times we think our players should not have their say, what happened was unfortunate, but I am happy one Ghanaian player has proven to the whole world that racism has no place in modern day civilisation and in sports”
Nii Vanderpuye spoke to Graphic Online after he presented football equipment to five coastal football clubs in his constituency in Accra on Tuesday.
Seconding Muntari for refusing to play in a match in which he was racially abused, the former Sport Minister said Muntari was a man of principle who will always fight for the right cause.
“I second Muntari 100 per cent and I have sent him a word of congratulations. Sulley Muntari, people think is a bad boy, but he is one of the most principled guys I have ever met in football. He says it as it is.”
Read also: Sulley Muntari apologises to GFA
Recalling the incident in Brazil, the former sport minister said upon listening to Sulley carefully, it came to bare that he was not to be blamed, “he is somebody who thinks that the right thing must be done, and what is due him should be given to him. When you respect him, he will also give you the respect”
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye said as a minister, he initiated move to get him back into the senior national team because Muntari was a player that could inspire the young ones.
He said much attention was not given to Kelvin Prince Boateng when a similar thing happened to him, “Today is Sulley Muntari, and I am happy that Sulley Muntari’s own has achieved global attention. From today the black who ply their trade in the various leagues in the world would be respected for who they are.”
The items the MP presented to the five coastal teams included footballs, jerseys and boots.
In addition, he also paid for the officiating fees for the season.
He said the gesture was part of his aim to develop the sport in his constituency.
The teams are Me and You Babies, All Yankees, Michen Soccer Academy, BT International and King Koko Babies.