Hooliganism and vandalism have been confused by many and never really sort to understand what leads to it at the extreme and why it needs to be stopped from its roots.
Hooliganism in football is the term used broadly to describe disorderly, aggressive and often violent behaviour perpetrated by spectators, officials, players and any other stakeholder at sporting events. Now how does this happen and how can people desist from such acts?
Ghana has been the talk of town after the death of a football fan as well as commentaries coming from people of power who should gather better information before briefing the public as many may not buy whatever information is put out there.
The match between Nsoatreman Fc and Kumasi Asante Kotoko which resulted in the death of the fan really called for more than one measure to be put in place. Imagine being assaulted just because your team is winning and you are jubilating. Imagine finding yourself in a situation where trying to solve a dispute between two supporters rapidly turns into a heated argument and even worse.
Nana Pooley as has been named got stabbed while service persons watched him to die and then a member of the GFA security committee comes out to say the incidence happened outside the stadium. It really gets scary how the police who are tasked to protect us can tell us protection can only happen in a certain confined.
Questions that have been asked following the passing of this fan and videos circulated makes it seems the leadership have little to no idea how and what is going on.
Where was the ambulance parked during the incidence as I know it is always parked inside the stadium. When a security officer who should know much about policing and in footfall comes out to say what was said, it saddens my heart. How many people are allowed on the pitch aside players?, security can never be enough at stadiums looking at the various capacities.
Fast forward, there is a vigil at the Baba Yara Sports stadium in honour of the fan that perished at Nsoatra and as much as it is sad it is equally useless. The same fans and panelists who sit behind the console to incite supporters have forgotten they are part of the problems.
The entire Kumasi Asante Kotoko team have joined in a vigil to honour the dead but the real question is whether the vigil will end hooliganism at our match centres.
Shuaeeb Is a seasoned sportswriter, social worker, and philanthropist. He has been renowned for his support of disabled sports persons and championing for equal rights and opportunities for all sports persons. He is also a father of 4 children and married to His partner Moana who is of Australian descent. He currently does sports volunteering and disability support work aside from writing for this August media.
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