Kotoko threaten to discontinue league

 The Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has declared that the club will not resume participa­tion in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) until their requests regard­ing new security measures are met by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

At a meeting with the GFA on Tuesday, Kotoko questioned the GFA’s decision not to investigate the owner of Nsoatreman, Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, who was arrested and charged by the Ghana Police Service for his role in the unfortunate incident that led to the killing of one of the club’s passionate fans, Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly called ‘Nana Pooley’.

The meeting was necessitated by Kotoko’s refusal to honour GFA’s invitation to discuss way forward of football in the country, fol­lowing the killing of Nana Pooley during match day 19 with Nsoa­treman FC at Nsoatre in the Bono Region.

According to the Club, the GFA did not show respect to the club by not commiserating with them over the death of the fan.

Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awuah, Kotoko’s IMC Chairman, ex­pressed the club’s pain and disap­pointment in the GFA’s handling of the situation.

“I was expecting that by now, the GFA would have instituted a probe into the whole situation including, Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah.”

“But you [GFA] are only issuing fines, to the extent that you are fining people who were not even involved. It’s as if you don’t care. We are angry because it’s painful. It’s very painful”, he said.

Following the tragic incident, both Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak made recommendations to the GFA, including having an autonomous league management, enhanced security measures, fair share of TV rights and others.

But, Nana Awuah expressed his displeasure at the FA’s approach to their demands.

“We know we [Hearts and Kotoko] don’t matter to the GFA,” he said.

“But now, whether you like it or not, you will have to respect us. We will show you we are Kotoko and Hearts.

“We are not returning to football until all our requests regarding the new security measures are grant­ed,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has ad­opted the children of Francis Yaw Frimpong, popularly called ‘Nana Pooley’, a die-hard fan of the Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who was killed at Nsoatre.

Nana Pooley left behind six chil­dren, and the Asantehene would secure their education through the Otumfuo Educational Fund.

The educational fund would ca­ter for all aspects of the children’s schoolling, from primary education to higher learning opportunities.

It aims to empower the children to achieve their dreams and carry forward the values instilled in them by their late father.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu made the disclosure when the Interim Man­agement Committee (IMC) of the Club, led by Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awuah, Kotoko’s IMC Chairman, called on him to officially inform him of the incident at Nsoatre.

“I am officially announcing that Otumfuo has adopted the children of Nana Pooley,” he intoned.

The Asantehene’s commitment to the future of the children reflects his broader vision for the advancement of education within the community.

By providing for the children’s education and financial stability, Otumfuo Osei Tutu is not only honouring Nana Pooley’s legacy, but also reinforcing the importance of community and family values.

 FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI

The post Kotoko threaten to discontinue league appeared first on Ghanaian Times.

Read Full Story