Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan, was last Tuesday night honoured with the Order of the Star Award at the second edition of the Calcio Trade Ball Awards.
The award ceremony, which is an initiative of Arthur Legacy Sports and supported by the Italian Embassy, is organised annually to celebrate the efforts of the close to hundred Ghanaian players who ply their trade in Italy.
Among the distinguished personalities who gathered at the residence of the Italian Ambassador to Ghana to witness the colourful ceremony were the Italian Ambassador himself, Giovanni Favilli, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Catherine Afeku, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan, Africa football legend, Abedi Pele, and a host of current and former footballers who once played in the Italian league.
The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Giovanni Favilli, used the platform to shed more light on the integral role football has played in enhancing the relationship between his country and Ghana. He revealed that Italy is a home to 89 Ghanaian footballers which is the highest in Europe.
Minster for Tourism and Creative Arts, Hon. Catherin Afeku, who graced the occasion, said her outfit was aware of the potential benefit Ghana could gain from sports as a tool for tourism and that plans were far-advanced to explore that aspect of tourism.
She also commended the organisers for coming out with such an initiative.
Juventus midfielder, Kwadwo Asamoah, was honoured with the CTB Inspirational Award for being a source of inspiration to young Ghanaian players in Italy while Bologna midfielder, Godfred Donsah, left the event with the CTB Future Star Award.
Torino midfielder, Afriyie Acquah, won the Humanitarian Award for his charitable works that has seen him make donations to some needy people in Ghana.
The CTB Legendary Award went to Juventus and Torino legends, Stephen Appiah and Abedi Pele, respectively. Abedi was awarded for being one of the first few Ghanaians who explored Italian football and paved the way for the current crop of players while Stephen Appiah was recognised for his outstanding leadership qualities during his days as captain of the Black Stars.
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