By Issac Asare
Monday, May 9, 2022, marks exactly 21 years of horrifying moments in Ghana’s sporting history in remembrance of one hundred and twenty-six (126) football fans who lost their lives in a stampede at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The sad event which took place during a league match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Wednesday, May 9, 2001, has been recorded in history as Africa’s worst football tragedy.
Hundreds of Spectators managed to escape the tragedy whilst a number of them sustained varied degrees of injuries in an attempt to flee from dangerous tear gas canisters that were fired at them by the Police.
May 9 Stadium Disaster, 21 years on
Today marks 21 years since the May 9 stadium disaster claimed the lives of 126 soccer fans at Accra Sports Stadium. #GTVBreakfast pic.twitter.com/K4oAtuWogx
— Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (@thegbcghana) May 9, 2022
Since the said stadium disaster, Ghana’s Football Administration (GFA), has drawn valuable lessons from the unfortunate event. The FA has to this effect instituted measures including public safety and effective crowd control to forestall any future occurrence. The sad event is commemorated each year to pay respect to those that lost their lives.
Meanwhile, bereaved families have benefited from compensation packages from the government through Fund Managers.
