Work on 400 billion cedi Kotoko stadium begins

Construction of the proposed modern sports stadium to enhance the image and operations of Kumasi Asante Kotoko would begin by the end of the year.

Clearing of land acquired for the 50,000-seater capacity multi-billion cedi project at Adarkwa-Gyaakye near Kumasi has already begun. Mr Owusu Donkor, Chairman of the Otumfuo Special Initiative (OSI) confirmed this in Takoradi at the weekend.

He was briefing delegates congress of the National Kotoko Circles Council at Takoradi on Saturday on the current state of the project proposed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II about three years ago. Mr Donkor said to this end, a special fund into which all supporters and well-wishers of the Club would channel their contributions to finance the construction of the stadium estimated to cost 400 billion cedis would be lunched by the end of May this year.

The Clubs attention has all along been concentrated in winning matches and bring honour to the club and its teaming supporters at the expense of the provision of basic infrastructure like a stadium for development of the club.

Mr Donkor said supporters would be required to contribute between 10,000 cedis and one million cedis a month and the money would be solely for the project.

A special Board of Trustees to be independent from Kotoko Management Committee would manage the fund.

The Chairman said contributors to the fund would be given certificates at the end of each year.

He told the delegates that a modern stadium for Kotoko was long overdue and all must support the idea to make it a reality and gave the assurance that, their contributions, either in cash or in kind would be judiciously used.

Mr Donkor said other fund raising activities including appeal for funds; machinery and equipment from Kotoko supporters and well-wishers living outside the country to enhance the work of the OSI had been planned.

The well-attended Congress also discussed the club's audit report for 2001 to 2004 and proposed a stakeholders meeting that would seek to improve relationship between the Club on one side and the media, former chief executives, the Ghana Football Association and Referees Association.