Following the announcement of his demise Saturday, Hatayspor Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu’s physique was repatriated to his native Ghana with a heroic welcome, with lots of individuals gathering to pay their respects and rejoice his life.
Atsu’s stays arrived within the Ghanaian capital of Accra late Sunday, stated Ghana Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who led a authorities delegation to obtain the physique. Atsu’s physique was carried house in a casket on a Turkish Airlines aircraft and was accompanied by members of his household and the Ghana ambassador to Türkiye, the nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
“This loss is very painful and this is a sad day for Ghana,” Bawumia said. “We all prayed and prayed, we hoped in opposition to hope for every single day that handed, however God is aware of greatest.”
Atsu’s physique was discovered within the rubble of a luxurious 12-story constructing within the southern Turkish metropolis of Antakya on Saturday, practically two weeks after the devastating earthquake that has left over 44,000 folks lifeless in Türkiye and neighboring Syria.
Reports emerged a day after the earthquake that Atsu had been rescued from the rubble, was alive and had been despatched to the hospital, however they have been mistaken.
The 31-year-old Atsu, who performed for Premier League groups Chelsea and Newcastle, had joined Turkish membership Hatayspor final 12 months and scored the profitable aim in a league recreation on Feb. 5, hours earlier than the devastating earthquake struck within the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 6.
Hatayspor sporting director Taner Savut additionally lived in the identical house constructing and was reported lacking concurrently Atsu. Savut has nonetheless not been discovered.
Bawumia promised Atsu could be given a becoming funeral and stated his dying was a blow to the folks of Ghana. Atsu performed over 60 instances for his nation after making his debut at 20 in 2012.
Atsu was additionally remembered with moments of silence and different tributes at soccer video games in England and elsewhere this weekend. At his former membership Newcastle, followers held up placards along with his picture. An picture of him was put up on a giant display at Chelsea’s recreation in opposition to Southampton earlier than kickoff.
Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus had “R.I.P Atsu” written on a white T-shirt underneath his group shirt and revealed the message after scoring a aim for Dutch membership Ajax in a recreation on Sunday.
The Ghanaian soccer affiliation ordered moments of silence to be noticed at each skilled recreation within the West African nation on Saturday in honor of Atsu.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
