Lucky 65!!
FROM THE BOARDROOM
(Lucky 65!!)
Fabulous Kumasi Asante Kotoko 2 Togo Hawks 1
I repeat we are 65 years old this year and we have been celebrating it by taking on all comers! On Sunday we played and beat the Togolese National side, the Hawks. This was a remarkable victory and one, which showed the progress we have made since the arrival of Ernst Middendorp. In celebrating our 65th year we added the very important and prestigious scalp of the Togolese National side to those of Dragons of Benin and Julius Berger.
The players showed great resolve and for those who only arrived on match day, great concentration in what was not an easy match! The team played with great cohesion and gave hope to the supporters for the future!
In searching for former glories we know that the path will be tricky and that our enemies will place obstacles and try and discourage the Kotoko faithful. It is all about planning and progress! This we have done and we are clearly moving in the right direction.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has always reiterated to me that he does not expect miracles on the field within the first four years. It took ASEC approximately 10 years to be as great as they are today. Kotoko cannot wait that long. Since Otumfuo’s ascension to the throne we have won the Millennium, JOT Agyeman, Gala, Kofi Annan and SWAG trophies. Our plan shows that within two years from now we shall be in a position to win the league for the first time since 1993!!!
The cost of organising and playing matches still remains on the high side. The underlisted function statement clearly shows that things are not always as clear as they may seem on the surface. The function statement is self-explanatory.
Function Statement
Kumasi Asante Kotoko Vrs. Togo National Team
26/11/2000
Gross Gate Proceeds 77,508,000
less
Cost of Printing 1,057,500
Vat 8,612,000
Sellers 490,000
Checkers 710,000
Police Ambulance 90,000
Stadium Clinic 75,000
Ball Boys 32,000
NSC Staff 1,702,000
NSC Security 245,000
MTTU 125,000
Police Panthers & Fire Service 550,000
Police CID 15,000
Motor Riders 80,000
Task Force-Stadium 400,000
Hiring of Chairs 260,000
Drinks VIP 364,800
Reimbursement-Police 510,000
Referees 900,000
Special Duties 30,000
First Aiders 48,000
Total Expenses 15,238,000
Net Proceeds 62,270,000
Appearance Fees-Togo Hawks 30,000,000
NSC 3,000,000
Task Force 670,000
Kotoko Share before expenses 28,600,000
Kotoko’s estimated expenses
Accommodation 3,000,000
Transportation * 800,000
Food & Drink 1,500,000
Medical 500,000
Winning bonus (off season reduced) 8,000,000
Publicity/Adverts 2,000,000
Player assistance 2,000,000
Miscellaneous 1,500,000
Total 18,300,000
“kitewa biara nsua”
Special thanks needs to go out to the greater Accra circles in their efforts to raise monies for the club. Their canvassing for monies with their kitewa biara nsua boxes yielded over ¢4,000,000 (four million cedis) It was timely as we had to further monies immediately after the match for feeding the team and for one of the players who needed to be assisted financially!
Future 65th Celebrations
The year of celebrations will continue when we play against Africa Sports of Ivory Coast on December 10th in Kumasi. Before that however we will be playing the following matches.
MATCH VENUE DATE
Kotoko vrs. Arsenals Berekum 30th November, 2000
Kotoko vrs. Techiman Techiman 1st December, 2000
Kotoko vrs. Kwaebibrium Kumasi 3rd December, 2000
For further information on these matches please contact one of the following.
NAME DESIGNATION CONTACT NUMBER
George Amoako Director Finance & Administration 024-521100
Kwame Bosempem Accra Representative 020-201-8111
Patrick Madjitey Operations 020-201-8114
Mohammed Haruna PR and Publicity Manager 027-597997
The Kotoko Account
At the stadium on Sunday I met with a number of supporters who again wanted clarification on how they contribute to Kotoko without necessarily going through their local circles. In past editions of the Express we spoke about the new Kotoko account, which has been opened. I need to make a number of points of clarification;
1. There is no limit to the amount of money that can be paid in. We are prepared to little as ¢500 (five hundred cedis) or the minimum the Bank will allow.
2. This is a separate fund raising exercise to the efforts of the Circles.
3. If payees want recognition then they will have to make minimum payments of ¢24,000 and send a copy of the application form and monies paid to the following address
KUMASI SECRETARIAT
ASANTE KOTOKO FOOTBALL CLUB
P.O. BOX 2274
KUMASI
We intend to build up the revenue paid into this account and to utilise the monies for our next recruitment exercise. The account details are as follows:
KOTOKO FC SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT
ACCOUNT NO. 213556045
SSB BANK LIMITED
Monies can be paid anywhere with reference being made as above. SSB has provided these details for this purpose. Mail order cheques and postal orders will be accepted and monies paid into the same account with the names of the payees noted and published (unless otherwise directed)!
The team who will be dealing with this initiative will be as follows. It will be their responsibility to manage, publicise and raise monies for Kumasi Asante Kotoko!
NAME DESIGNATION CONTACT NUMBER
George Amoako Director Finance & Administration 027-521100
Eric Coffie Finance and administration – Kumasi 027-590667
Adwoa Egyir Membership data administration – Kumasi 027-208267
Mohammed Haruna PR and Publicity Manager 027-597997
Dr. Billy Annan North American Director 001-302-992-0166
Marah Kemoh Accountant 021-763366
Special thanks
Every so often we receive kind gestures from people who really care about Kotoko. When I receive this information I try to make sure that I give the appropriate publicity for the event!
1. Circle 79 made their monthly contribution of ¢500,000 to Kotoko.
2. Circle 69 made a payment of ¢500,000. This contribution is for Ninja’s salary. They have been making monthly payments for some time now!
3. Yaw Benneh Amponsah for his regular monthly payment of ¢100,000
Kotoko thanks you all for your contributions and the lead you have shown.
Soccer Trivia
With the sale of Rio Ferdinand from West Ham United to Leeds United for an incredible fee of £18m (eighteen million pounds) I decided to look into the other most expensive players. Rio Ferdinand is now the most expensive defender in the World!
Top Transfers
1. Luis Figo Barcelona – Real Madrid £37m
2. Hernan Crespo Parma – Lazio £35.4m
3. Christian Vieri Lazio – Inter Milan £31m
4. Marc Overmars Arsenal – Barcelona £25m
5. Nicolas Anelka Arsenal – Real Madrid £23m
6. Denilson Sao Paulo – Real Betis £22m
7. Gabriel Batistuta Fiorentina – Roma £22m
8. Nicolas Anelka Real Madrid – Paris SG £20.2m
9. Rivaldo Deportivo – Barcelona £19m
10. Christian Vieri Athletico Madrid – Lazio £17m
The Immediate Future
We now have to plan. We have to be active and make (or contribute to) decisions in the following areas;
1. Player recruitment and transfer of players
2. Meeting with the playing body
3. Technical recruitment
4. Friendly matches to be played off season (We have secured a match against Africa Sport of Ivory Coast)
5. Establishment of new committees
6. Reorganisation of supporter base
7. Seasonal merchandising etc.
8. The completion of the gym
9. Progress on the City Project
10. Permission to grade and regrass the training facilities.
11. Development of the Kotoko Internet Site
12. Etc. etc. etc.
Fabulous – the greatest!!
Herbert Mensah 