Brazil 2014: Kenpong supporters arrive in Natal
The first batch of Ghanaian supporters arrived in the Brazilian coastal city of Natal in the early hours of last Saturday amidst a brief scare which shook some passengers to the bone prior to landing.
Advertisement
Before then, Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing 787 aircraft, with 270 passengers on board, had given the buoyant passengers a smooth four hours fifty minutes direct flight over the Atlantic Ocean right from the Kotoka International Airport at midnight The chartered flight well organised by Kenpong Travel and Tours (KT&T) in their maiden attempt, saw some first time travellers getting agitated by the sudden announcement by the pilot that the aircraft could not land because it had not received clearance from officials of the newly-built Natal Airport.
In his dilemma, the pilot had no choice but to fly around the Natal Airport for about half an hour before landing finally to the relief of the stiff-scared passengers.
That was second test the new tour operators had to pass after going through hell to contain the chaotic scene created by some unruly supporters at the Kotoka International Airport the night before.
Per the arrangement by the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the 500 supporters selected for the trip to Brazil, Kenpong Travel and Tours were supposed to airlift the first batch to Brazil last Friday, followed by Travel Matters and African Origin and Sports Tourism on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
However, it so happened that some supporters who were not in the list for the Friday flight still wanted to gate-crash.
And on arrival in Natal, the Ghanaian contingent was greeted by some torrential rains which lasted the whole day to give them an idea of the kind of weather awaiting them in Brazil.
An official of KT& T told the Graphic Sports last Saturday that it flew over 200 supporters to Natal in time to cheer on the Black Stars against the USA today.
Other Trending Stories
KT&T are hosting its clients in Imira and Bello Mare hotels in Downtown Natal.
Natal, a beautiful city South of Brazil, is already bubbling with enthusiasm and activity after hosting its first match between Mexico and Cameroun which the former won 1-0 last Friday.