Jerry Asare Stays Ahead

THE UNCOMPROMISING board of Asante Kotoko has postponed the naming of the club's new chief executive officer (CEO), which was originally scheduled for today.

The board would now unveil the CEO, on February 10, 2006. The postponement is to make room for other top guns, who travelled with the playing-body for friendly battles, in Tanzania, to be a part of the decision-making process.

Among those in contention for the enviable CEO post, are, Messrs George Amoako, Sylvester Asare Owusu, Jerry Asare, Kojo Bonsu, as well as fresh contenders, Alhaji Abubakari Njie, and Brobbey Bediako.

Ironically, the inclusion of the new contestants could not present any stiff opposition to the front-runner in the race, Mr. Jerry Asare.

The former Accra Representative for Kotoko, Jerry Asare, has stayed ahead of all the competitors, after outclassing his closest opponent, Mr. Asare Owusu. Mr. Jerry Asare beat hi! s closest contender, Mr. Sylvester Asare Owusu, who chaired the club's interim management committee (IMC), in 2003. The former IMC chairman could have posed a great threat to the ex-Accra representative, if he (Mr. Asare Owusu) had rendered a clean account, during his stint at Kotoko.

With his marketing acumen, Mr. Jerry Asare has gotten a majority vote, following the Kotoko board's thorough scrutiny of the applicants. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he would succeed the immediate past CEO, Major (rtd) Lawrence Yaw Sampene Larson.

The ex-Accra representative, who commands the largest support from the club followers (the Circles), is a true Kotoko member, financially-sound, and has the requisite managerial skills.

Besides those qualities, he possesses the relevant administrative expertise, and a solid educational background.

Mr. Asare is expected to take charge of Kotoko, and would work alongside the existing IMT.

The motive is to ensure a smooth transition, which would prevent a recurrence of the past bitterness, between successors and predecessors. For the time being, the! club has shifted from the scheme of depending on beneficiaries, who are appointed to take charge of Kotoko.