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04.04.2004 Sports News

Retired Footballers Back In The Game

04.04.2004 LISTEN
By Kwasi Amo-Mensah

This is the news we want to hear. Our past football heroes threw in sacrifice and patroitism than interest in financial gains. Opoku Afriyie now team manager of the Black Metoers and Wlberforce Mfum , now serving on the newly constituted Board of Directors of Asante Kotoko? Positive news. Kotoko`s Osei Kofi`s refusal of big financial offer from an English club for the sake of club commitment is enough to explain the need to give special place to Ghanaian retired footballers. I know some have left Ghana years ago. Others like Jones Atuqueifio, C.K Gyamfi, FA boss Ben Kuofi, , Abukari, Malik Jabir, Ibrahim Sunday, Kankam of AKOTEX fame Abdul Razark, Emmanuel Quarshie have imparted the sport on emerging footballers by way of coaching which has benefitted Ghana in many ways. It is my hope that Government, clubs and organisations offer financial assistance to more others who as well want to go into coaching to keep them engaged in the game. I noticed the instrumental role by Dogo Moro and Haruna Yussif towards soccer development in Kumasi.

I don`t know whether Kwasi Owusu, former Black Stars skipper and the first African to score at the Olympic Stadium in Munich is still attached to Bofoakwa Tano. For Joe Carr and Salifu, thier role in Kotoko and Hearts respectively as goalkeeper trainer is appreciable. Hearts keep benefitting from Ofei Ansah and Sampson Lamptey likewise Real Tamale United from the technical accumen of Muhamed Choo. Abdul Karrium Zito of Kotoko fame has been providing technical assistance to Fayeenoord Fette. His successor in Kotoko`s left full back regular position, Kwasi Appiah has as well paid his technical dues to both Kotoko and the Black Stars . This is what we expect to see.

I see nothing wrong with the adminitrative role of George Arthur in BA United and Abedi Pele in the GFA. However, I suggest that these men who have a lot of football in them go on the bench to unearth more talents. One would argue that the world Pele is as well playing a similar diplomaic role . However, It is somehow painful that up and coming Ghanaian footballers are not benefiting directly from Arthur and more especially Abedi Pele, three-time Africa player of the year on the field of play.. In any case , once they are still playing positive role soccer running in Ghana, thier positions are appreciated.

Gradually, Ghanaian retired footballers are bouncing back into the game in numbers to our expectation. This is a positive sign for sports development in Ghana.

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