GRi Sports Ghana 19 - 03 - 2001
Asantehene takes measures to revamp Kumasi
Asante Kotoko
Mallam's exit, a
blessing in disguise - officials
Soccer-Pele launches biography
Asantehene takes measures to revamp Kumasi
Asante Kotoko
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 19 March 2001
Otumfuo Osei tutu II, Asantehene, the Spiritual Head and Life Patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club last Saturday announced measures to put the club on sound footing for this year's football season.
As a first step, an advisory body is to be instituted to assist the current management under Mr Herbert Mensah, Board Chairman of the club to steer affairs of the club this year.
In addition, a committee would be set up to deliberate and come out with proposals on whether the club's suspended constitution by the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II should be revoked or the club should be registered as a limited liability company.
Asantehene announced these measures at an emergency meeting held at his instance and attended by patrons, all past board members, past and present chairmen, chief executives, the circles, ladies club and the Asante Kotoko Old Players Association (AKOPA) at the National House of Chiefs conference hall in Kumasi.
He explained that the meeting was convened to review the stewardship of the current management under Herbert Mensah since 1999 and the way forward for the club to regain its lost glory on the Africa continent and the globe.
Otumfuo Osei tutu asked all stakeholders in the club to refrain from the old ways of doing things and in running the club but put all their human, material and financial resources together to build the club.
"I will not advocate for the use of the club's constitution but believe in the floating of shares in line with modern management of clubs in the world and where all the stakeholders will become shareholders in the running of the club".
The Asantehene directed Mr George Adusei-Poku (Georgido), a former chief executive of the club to withdraw an appeal he has filed at the Appeal Court against the findings of the Gbadegbe Commission for amicable settlement out of court.
"The club belongs to me and I have the right to investigate and find out those who benefited in the Robert Boateng's transfer at the expense of the club".
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said, "I will ensure that all monies that are due to Kotoko but have been diverted into private pockets are paid into the accounts of the club".
Mr Mensah in his report to the meeting said under his management, a five-year programme has been drawn to make the club the best in the country and the continent.
He announced that the club now has a deficit of about 4.6 billion cedis and efforts should be made to improve on the club's finances, adding, "everybody loves Kotoko but nobody wants to help or finance operations of Kotoko".
Supporters of the club who thronged the premises of the meeting hailed the measures instituted by the Asantehene and sang praises to him and Mr Mensah, hoping the club would perform better this league season under the current management.
GRi…/
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Mallam's exit, a
blessing in disguise - officials
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March
2001
Some officials of the Ghana League
Club Association (GHALCA) said in Accra that Mallam Yusif Isa, the sacked
Sports minister's exit, was a blessing in disguise for Ghana soccer.
They contended that prior to his
assumption of the hot seat, the 40-year old freight forwarder had shown signs
of naivity, which was clearly demonstrated during the vetting.
"His exit is a good omen for
sports in general and soccer in particular.
Who knows, his continued stay in
office might jeopardise the sector", one said.
The minister's appointment was
greeted with mixed feelings, apparently due to his inability to articulate his
views during the vetting. Many Ghanaians adopted the wait-and-see attitude
because they had expected parliament not to approve of his nomination.
"His sack on Thursday by the
president J. A. Kufuor, has vindicated many people", said one source,
apparently referring the government to a popular old adage-"I told you
so".
Mallam Isa led the Black Stars to
Sudan for a crucial World Cup qualifier which the Stars lost by a lone goal
barely a week after assuming office.
He quickly ordered the coach and
the playing body to account for their dismal performance a practice, which many
officials had frowned at under the previous minister E. T. Mensah.
With this attitude, which many
translated as "interference", they felt the earlier the Mallam left
office, the better it was for Ghana football.
The minister's appointment was
revoked on Thursday after his suitcase allegedly containing the players'
winning bonuses of 46,000 dollars arrived late at Sudan without the money.
Latest reports said the suitcase
was sent to the airport without the money after Messrs Alex Asante and Worlanyo
Agra of the GFA had advised the minister that it was unsafe to put the money in
the suitcase. The money according to the two officials, was put on the
minister's table in their presence with two other associates of the minister in
attendance.
Mallam Isa however insisted that
the money remained in his suitcase before the protocol officer sent it to the
airport.
But the question Ghanaians are
seeking answer for is, " Where is the money" and the search for the
46,000 dollars continues.
GRi…/
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Soccer-Pele
launches biography
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March
2001
The Vice-President Alhaji Aliu
Mahama on Friday night called on the state to involve Africa's three-time
footballer of the year Abedi Ayew Pele in the administration of soccer at the
national level to help transform the sport.
He said by so doing, Ghana would
reap enormous benefits from Pele who has been named FIFA Ambassador to Africa
and a member of one of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) committees.
The Vice-President made the call
in a speech read for him by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister for Governmental
Affairs at the launch of the biography of Abedi Pele dubbed "Hero of
African Football".
The 50-page magazine traces the
history of the soccer legend from his colts' days till he joined the Black
Stars at the tender age of 16, through to his foreign exploits till his
resignation from the world's most popular game in 1998.
It was written by one Eric Afedzi
with support from Cosby and Cosby Ghana Limited.
Alhaji Mahama expressed the hope
that Pele's rich experience coupled with his international contacts would help
put Ghana back among soccer elites in Africa in particular and the world at
large.
"For a long time we have
denied our heroes the chance to contribute to our national development and this
must stop", he said.
He emphasised that Pele has
demonstrated that excellence can only be achieved through hard work and not
through easy and dubious means.
Alhaji Asuma Banda, Chairman for
the occasion and boxing legend Azumah Nelson were among those who bought the
first few copies.
In all, a total of 50 million
cedis was realised at the launch.
The money, which included a 12
million-cedi promotional package from Metro TV, would be used to support street
children, the AIDS foundation and some selected NGOs.
Pele praised the late S. K. Manu,
a sports administrator and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana for giving
him scholarship during his school days.
He also mentioned a host of names
who have helped him "through the struggle",
including the Ghanaian press.
His wife Maha Ayew gave him a
surprise gift of a portrait of the maestro holding a golden ball.
Among the dignitaries were, Mr Joe
Aggrey, deputy minister designate for Youth and Sports and Madam Hawa Yakubu,
minister or Tourism.
GRi…/
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